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IntroductionCarbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a growing threat. It is urgent to investigate the multidrug resistance and high virulence of CRPA to provide a basis for infection control and rational use of antibiotics.MethodsA retrospective study of 56 nonduplicated CRPA isolates was conducted.ResultsCRPA mainly came from the intensive care unit (ICU) and was mostly isolated from sputum samples. The carbapenem resistance rates of P. aeruginosa were 21.37% (2016), 10.62, 5.88, 10 and 13.87% from 2016 to 2020, respectively. Carbapenem-resistant enzymes and aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme-encoding genes were detected in all isolates, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase and cephalosporin enzyme-encoding genes were present in 96.43 and 80.38% of isolates, respectively. The detection rate of OprM showed a statistically significant difference (p

Abstract Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) appeared more frequently in children and caused a great threat to global public health. It is urgent to investigate the carbapenem resistance and virulence of CRAB for clinicians to choose appropriate antibiotics. A retrospective study of 77 nonduplicated CRAB isolates was conducted. The carbapenem resistance and virulence genes were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. In the present study, A. baumannii mainly came from the intensive care unit and was mostly isolated from sputum samples. The carbapenem resistant rate of A. baumannii in 2018–2020 increased significantly compared with that in 2016–2017. All isolates had carbapenem resistant genes. They were highly resistant to a variety of antibiotics but were relatively sensitive to fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines. blaVIM and blaOXA-23 were detected in all isolates, whereas blaOXA-51, blaIMP and blaNDM were present in 98.70%, 67.53% and 31.17% of isolates, respectively. Notably, 1 isolate A. baumannii was identified as multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDR-AB), and 76 other extensively drug-resistance (XDR) isolates were also detected. Virulence genes were present in 100% of all isolates, including genes in the iron acquisition system (basJ), secretion systems (ompA, plcD), quorum sensing system (abaI) and biofilm formation (csuA). adeH, pgaA, and ptk were present in 98.70%, 98.70% and 94.80% of isolates, respectively. CRAB, which is prevalent in east China, carries a large number of drug resistance and virulence genes. Fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines may be effective antibiotics for the treatment of CRAB infection in children. An in-depth understanding of the resistance and virulence of CRAB is conducive to timely guiding empirical drug use and controlling infection.

High cadmium (Cd) concentrations associated with geochemical anomalies are prevalent in carbonate-rich karstic areas, posing serious ecological risks, while the karstic soils are rich in bicarbonate (HCO3−). It is known that Selenium (Se) is a mineral element that effectively mitigates the Cd transport in plant species. However, the synergistic effects of HCO3− and Se on Cd translocation in plant species have not yet been indicated. In this study, based on plant electrophysiological measurements, we chose Orychophragmus violaceus (Ov) as experimental material and determined the growth potential, water metabolism, and nutrient translocation capacity under HCO3−-Se6+-Cd2+ treatment to identify the synergistic effects of bicarbonate and selenium on cadmium transport in karst-adaptable plants. We found 5 mM HCO3− and 0.46 mM Se6+ synergistically alleviated the Cd2+ stress on Ov, promoting growth, intracellular water metabolism, nutrient translocation efficiency, and total Se accumulation, and inhibiting the uptake of Cd in Ov. Nevertheless, 15 mM HCO3− and 0.46 mM Se6+ synergistically augmented Cd transport on Ov, resulting in growth reduction, intracellular water metabolism, nutrient translocation efficiency, and total Se concentration. Hence, it not only provides a frontier approach for the real-time monitoring of intracellular water and nutrient utilization capacity in plant species, but is also even more a theoretical idea that reveals the synergistic effects of bicarbonate and selenium on cadmium transport of plants to precisely indicate selenium supplementation to ameliorate cadmium pollution and construct a sustainable karst ecosystem in the future.

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of follicular helper CD4+ T cells (Tfh) and serum anti-α-1,4-d-polygalacturonic acid (PGA) antibody in the pathogenesis of Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP).

Objective Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens. Methods A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p

The aim of this experiment was to explore the effects of a new selenium (Se) source from Se-enriched Cardamine enshiensis (SeCe) on body weight loss, anti-oxidative capacity and meat quality of broilers under transport stress. A total of 240 one-day-old ROSS 308 broilers were allotted into four treatments with six replicate cages and 10 birds per cage using a 2 × 2 factorial design. The four groups were as follows: (1) Na2SeO3-NTS group, dietary 0.3 mg/kg Se from Na2SeO3 without transport stress, (2) SeCe-NTS group, dietary 0.3 mg/kg Se from SeCe without transport stress, (3) Na2SeO3-TS group, dietary 0.3 mg/kg Se from Na2SeO3 with transport stress, and (4) SeCe-TS group, dietary 0.3 mg/kg Se from SeCe with transport stress. After a 42 d feeding period, the broilers were transported by a lorry or kept in the original cages for 3 h, respectively. The results showed that dietary SeCe supplementation alleviated transport-stress-induced body weight loss and hepatomegaly of the broilers compared with the broilers fed Na2SeO3 diets (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary SeCe supplementation increased the concentrations of plasma total protein and glucose, and decreased the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase of the broilers under transport stress (p < 0.05). Dietary SeCe supplementation also enhanced the anti-oxidative capacity and meat quality in the breast and thigh muscles of the broilers under transport stress (p < 0.05). In summary, compared with Na2SeO3, dietary SeCe supplementation alleviates transport-stress-induced body weight loss, anti-oxidative capacity and meat quality impairments of broilers.

Objective To investigate the relationship between anti-α-1,4-D-polygalacturonic acid (PGA) antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin (Ig)A, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in children. Methods This observational case–control study investigated PGA-IgA, PGA-IgG, and PGA/PGA-IgA circulating immune complex (PGA/PGA-IgA CIC) in paediatric patients with HSP versus controls. Children with HSP were also evaluated for food specific IgG and food intolerance. Between-group differences in anti-PGA antibodies were analysed. Results Serum PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG levels were significantly increased in patients with acute HSP ( n = 251) versus those with urticaria ( n = 48), acute respiratory infections ( n = 95), surgical controls ( n = 53) and neonates ( n = 92). PGA/PGA-IgA CIC levels were also significantly higher in the acute HSP group versus surgical control and neonate groups. Levels of PGA/PGA-IgA CIC and PGA-IgA were significantly correlated ( r = 0.997), and PGA-IgA showed high diagnostic specificity for HSP. No statistically significant differences were observed in PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG between various degrees of food intolerance in children with HSP. Conclusion Increased anti-PGA antibodies, particularly PGA-IgA and PGA/PGA-IgA CIC, were significantly associated with acute HSP in children. Food intolerance was not found to be associated with increased anti-PGA antibodies in children with HSP.

There are still no highly sensitive and unique biomarkers for measurement of puberty onset. Circulating miRNAs have been shown to be promising biomarkers for diagnosis of various diseases. To identify circulating miRNAs that could be served as biomarkers for measuring chicken (Gallus gallus) puberty onset, the Solexa deep sequencing was performed to analyze the miRNA expression profiles in serum and plasma of hens from two different pubertal stages, before puberty onset (BO) and after puberty onset (AO). 197 conserved and 19 novel miRNAs (reads > 10) were identified as serum/plasma-expressed miRNAs in the chicken. The common miRNA amounts and their expression changes from BO to AO between serum and plasma were very similar, indicating the different treatments to generate serum and plasma had quite small influence on the miRNAs. 130 conserved serum-miRNAs were showed to be differentially expressed (reads > 10, P < 0.05) from BO to AO, with 68 up-regulated and 62 down-regulated. 4829 putative genes were predicted as the targets of the 40 most differentially expressed miRNAs (|log2(fold-change)|>1.0, P < 0.01). Functional analysis revealed several pathways that were associated with puberty onset. Further quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) test found that a seven-miRNA panel, including miR-29c, miR-375, miR-215, miR-217, miR-19b, miR-133a and let-7a, had great potentials to serve as novel biomarkers for measuring puberty onset in chicken. Due to highly conserved nature of miRNAs, the findings could provide cues for measurement of puberty onset in other animals as well as humans.

Onset of the rapid gonad growth is a milestone in sexual development that comprises many genes and regulatory factors. The observations in model organisms and mammals including humans have shown a potential link between miRNAs and development timing. To determine whether miRNAs play roles in this process in the chicken (Gallus gallus), the Solexa deep sequencing was performed to analyze the profiles of miRNA expression in the hypothalamus of hens from two different pubertal stages, before onset of the rapid gonad development (BO) and after onset of the rapid gonad development (AO). 374 conserved and 46 novel miRNAs were identified as hypothalamus-expressed miRNAs in the chicken. 144 conserved miRNAs were showed to be differentially expressed (reads > 10, P < 0.05) during the transition from BO to AO. Five differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) method. 2013 putative genes were predicted as the targets of the 15 most differentially expressed miRNAs (fold-change > 4.0, P < 0.01). Of these genes, 7 putative circadian clock genes, Per2, Bmal1/2, Clock, Cry1/2, and Star were found to be targeted multiple times by the miRNAs. qRT-PCR revealed the basic transcription levels of these clock genes were much higher (P < 0.01) in AO than in BO. Further functional analysis suggested that these 15 miRNAs play important roles in transcriptional regulation and signal transduction pathways. The results provide new insights into miRNAs functions in timing the rapid development of chicken gonads. Considering the characteristics of miRNA functional conservation, the results will contribute to the research on puberty onset in humans.

After several rounds of phased ups and downs of development, rural animal husbandry finally presents a shrinking and depressed development situation under the comprehensive action of the failure of transformation and upgrading and the increasing production costs and breeding risks. Actively exploring and guiding the healthy and sound development of rural animal husbandry is not only an important measure to promote the construction of ecological agriculture, but also the main starting point to realize the revitalization of rural industry. This paper analyzes the present situation of the development of rural animal husbandry in recent years, the influence of animal husbandry on the construction of ecological agriculture and the revitalization of rural industry, and puts forward the corresponding measures, in order to promote the steady and efficient development of animal husbandry in the grand strategy of revitalizing rural industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effects of selenium-enriched fermented Chinese herbal feed additive on growth performance, immune performance and meat quality of fowl. Method: A total of 180 Hyline brown chicks of 7-day-old were randomly divided into 3 groups with 3 replicates per group and 20 chicks per replicate. These three groups were control group (basal diet), experimental group I (basal diet &Chinese herbal feed additive) and experimental group II (basal diet &selenium-enriched fermented Chinese herbal feed additive). The experiment lasted for 42d. Results: The ADG (average daily gain) of experimental groups II were significantly greater than those of control group and experimental groups I (P< 0.05). The ADFI (average daily feed intake) of experimental groups I and II were significantly greater than those of control group, and the F/G (ratio of feed to gain) was respectively decreased by 5.3% and 7.7% (P< 0.01). The content of GSH-Px in serum of experimental group II was significantly greater than that of experimental group I and control group and the contents of IgG and SOD in serum of experimental group I and II were significantly greater than that of control group (P< 0.05). The contents of 1-octen-3-ol and hexanal in chicken breast of experimental group II were greater than those of experimental group I and control group (P< 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that adding selenium-enriched fermented Chinese herbal feed additive in the basal diet can enhance the growth performance and immune performance of Hyline brown. It also helped to improve the flavor of the meat. Innovation: In this paper, seleniumenriched probiotic was used to ferment Chinese herbal medicine to research the effects of selenium-enriched fermented Chinese herbal medicine feed additives on fowl. Meanwhile, similar reports have not been found internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effects of different combinations of cottonseed meal and soybean meal on growth performance, slaughter performance and antioxidant performance of Enshi weaned lamb under selenium enriched background, which was to provide reference for lamb production. Method: A total of 72 weaned lambs of 75-day-old were randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates per group and 6 lambs per replicate. These four groups were soybean meal group (SM), cottonseed meal group (CM), soybean meal & cottonseed meal group (SCM, SM/CM=1:1) and fermented cottonseed meal group (FCM). The total mixed ration was made according to concentrate: forage ratio (7:3). The experiment lasted for 90 d. At the end of the experiment, 4 lambs were randomly selected for slaughter and the samples were collected for determination. Results: The ADG (average daily gain) of CM was the least (P< 0.05). The ADFI (average daily feed intake) of FCM was less than that of SM (P< 0.05). The F/G (ratio of feed to gain) of FCM was less than that of SM (P=0.06) and CM (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in slaughter rate among all groups. The SOD content in serum of FCM was higher than that of other groups (P< 0.01) while the content of MAD was the least (P< 0.01). Conclusion: It was concluded that feeding with selenium-enrich total mixed ration made by fermented cottonseed meal could improve the growth performance and antioxidant performance of lambs. It also reduced the cost of lamb production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]