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Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (CLCNEC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma, accounting for approximately 10% of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Mainly composed of coexisting adenocarcinoma components, with strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. The treatment regimen for CLCNEC mainly refers to complete surgical resection as the first choice in the early stage, while patients with stage II or higher require adjuvant treatment. At present, research on CLCNEC is mostly small sample and retrospective, and there is no consensus on whether molecular typing and treatment should be carried out. There is considerable controversy over whether it should be managed as small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, in order to solve the problem of confusion in the selection of treatment regimens for CLCNEC, while also considering the therapeutic effects, this article summarizes and analyzes previous studies, fully seeks evidence, and boldly proposes new therapeutic insights: the etoposide-platinum (EP) regimen serves as the basis for adjuvant therapy; In addition, SCLC/NSCLC-CLCNEC can be distinguished based on presence of RB1 and TP53 co-mutation, and targeted therapy or NSCLC type chemotherapy including platinum + gemcitabine or taxanes (NSCLC-GEM/TAX) can be used in combination or sequentially for NSCLC-CLCNEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colonize human skin and mucosal membranes, which is why they are considered harmless commensal bacteria. Two species, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus belong to the group of CoNS species and are most frequently isolated from nosocomial infections, including device-associated healthcare-associated infections (DA-HAIs) and local or systemic body-related infections (FBRIs). Methicillin resistance, initially described in Staphylococcus aureus, has also been reported in CoNS species. It is mediated by the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec). SCCmec typing, primarily using PCR-based methods, has been employed as a molecular epidemiological tool. However, the introduction of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled the identification and verification of new SCCmec types. This review describes the current distribution of SCCmec types, subtypes, and variants among CoNS species, including S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, and S. capitis. The literature review focuses on recent research articles from the past decade that discuss new combinations of SCCmec in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. The high genetic diversity and gaps in CoNS SCCmec annotation rules underscore the need for an efficient typing system. Typing SCCmec cassettes in CoNS strains is crucial to continuously updating databases and developing a unified classification system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is associated with the incidence and prognosis of various malignancies, most notably endometrial cancer (EC). This study investigated the connection between diabetes and EC, with a specific focus on elucidating the biological implications of the diabetes mellitus (DM)-related gene WFS1. Methods: Using the CTD, GeneCards, and GSEA databases, we identified WFS1 as a diabetes-related gene and then conducted an extensive investigation focusing on WFS1 in the context of EC. First, we identified WFS1 as the target gene and obtained EC data from the TCGA database. Then, comprehensive analyses and verification experiments, including differential expression analysis, prognostic modeling, functional enrichment analysis, gene mutation profiling, assessment of immune cell infiltration, immunophenoscore (IPS), tumor stemness index scoring, drug sensitivity analysis, single-cell transcriptomic analysis, glycolytic pathway analysis, and clinical verification, were performed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical value of WFS1 in EC. Results: The EC group had significantly lower WFS1 expression, with an AUC of 0.857 for the ROC diagnostic curve. Overall survival analysis revealed that WFS1 was an independent risk factor for EC; low WFS1 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis. Stemness index analysis revealed that decreased WFS1 expression was associated with increased tumor grade and enhanced tumor stemness, suggesting increased malignancy of EC. In addition, WFS1 expression was correlated with tumor microenvironment features such as immune cell infiltration. WFS1 was also associated with tumor drug resistance. Conclusion: EC patients with low WFS1 expression have a worse prognosis. WFS1 can be used as diagnostic and prognostic marker for EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scabies, an infestation of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, has seen an increase in clinical diagnoses in the Netherlands since 2011. This study aimed to analyse PCR-positive S. scabiei skin samples through partial genome sequencing and to link findings to patient epidemiological characteristics. Methods: Skin samples were collected from individuals in the Netherlands between January 2016 and January 2023. On the PCR-positive S. scabiei skin samples, partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) sequencing was performed to assess genetic variability. Epidemiological information was collected through interviews. We examined associations between cox1 subtypes, epidemiological factors and treatment outcomes. Results: Sequencing results were obtained from 128 patients, with epidemiological information available for 55 (43%) of these patients. Fifteen distinct cox1 subtypes were identified. Subtype 01 was most prevalent (45%) and present across all age groups and social settings. The remaining subtypes were less common and not consistently found in all contexts. Five clusters were identified, each with identical cox1 subtypes. Comparative analysis with GenBank sequences revealed genetic similarities with strains from Australia, the USA and China, suggesting the global distribution and transmission of specific subtypes. A substantial proportion (73%) of patients with scabies required multiple treatments to eradicate the infestation, with no subtype-related differences. Conclusions: This is the first study linking S. scabiei sequencing results to patient epidemiological data. Several subtypes clustered in specific geographic regions and social contexts, underscoring localised transmission patterns. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to enhance our understanding of the transmission of this mite. This study provides valuable insights that will strengthen scabies control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of brain tumors among children is second only to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but the mortality rate of brain tumors has exceeded that of leukemia, making it the most common cause of death among children. Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common type of brain tumor among children. Malignant brain tumors have strong invasion and metastasis capabilities, can spread through cerebrospinal fluid, and have a high mortality rate. In 2010, the World Health Organization first divided MB into four molecular subtypes based on molecular markers: WNT, Sonic hedgehog (SHH), Group 3, and Group 4. MB is a highly heterogeneous tumor. Different molecular subtypes of MB have significantly different clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics. The prognosis of MB varies significantly among patients with different subtypes of this cancer. Thus, it is needed to study new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Metabolomics is an advanced analytical technology that uses various spectroscopic, electrochemical, and data analysis technologies to study and analyze the body’s metabolites. By detecting changes in metabolite types and quantities in different types of samples, it can sensitively discover the physiological and pathological changes in the body. It has great potential for clinical application and personalized medicine. It is promising and can help develop personalized treatment strategies based on the metabolic profiles of individuals. It can unravel the unique metabolic profiles of MB, which may revolutionize our understanding of the disease and improve patients’ outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mammals are the main hosts for Brucella sp., agents of worldwide zoonosis. Marine cetaceans and pinnipeds can be infected by Brucella ceti and B. pinnipedialis, respectively. Besides classical bacteriological typing, molecular approaches such as MLVA, MLSA, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can differentiate these species but are cumbersome to perform. Methods: We compared the DNA and genome sequences of 12 strains isolated from nine marine mammals, with highly zoonotic B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis, and the publicly available genomes of B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis. In silico pipelines were used to detect the antimicrobial resistance (AMR), plasmid, and virulence genes (VGs) by screening six open-source and one home-made library. Results and discussion: Our results show that easier-to-use HRM-PCR, Bruceladder, and Suis-ladder can separate marine Brucella sp., and the results are fully concordant with other molecular methods, such as WGS. However, the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method cannot discriminate between B. pinnipedialis and B. ceti B1-94-like isolates. MLVA-16 results divided the investigated strains into three clades according to their preferred host, which was confirmed in WGS. In silico analysis did not find any AMR and plasmid genes, suggesting antimicrobial susceptibility of marine Brucella, while the presence of the VGs btpA gene was variable dependent on the clade. Conclusion: The HRM-PCR and Suis-ladder are quick, easy, and cost-effective methods to identify marine Brucella sp. Moreover, in silico genome analyses can give useful insights into the genetic virulence and pathogenicity potential of marine Brucella strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are widespread in humans and many animal species and represent the most epidemiologically important rotavirus group. The aim of the study was the identification of the genotype pattern of human RVA strains circulating in Poland, assessment of their phylogenetic relationships to pig RVAs and identification of reassortant and zoonotic virus strains. Human stool samples which were RVA positive (n = 166) were collected from children and adults at the age of 1 month to 74 years with symptoms of diarrhoea. Identification of the G and P genotypes of human RVAs as well as the complete genotype of reassortant and zoonotic virus strains was performed by the use of an RT‐PCR method. The G (G1–G4, G8 or G9) and/or P (P[4], P[6], P[8] or P[9]) genotypes were determined for 148 (89.2%) out of 166 RVA strains present in human stool. G1P[8] RVA strains prevailed, and G4P[8] (20.5%), G9P[8] (15.7%) and G2P[4] (13.3%) human RVA strains were also frequently identified. The full genome analysis of human G4P[6] as well as pig G1P[8] and G5P[6] RVAs revealed the occurrence of porcine–human reassortants and zoonotic RVAs. Detection of G4P[6] in pigs confirms their role as a reservoir of zoonotic RVAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The global increase of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is one of the most urgent public health threats affecting both humans and animals. The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health and highlights the need for integrated approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Although the sharing of environments and antimicrobial agents between companion animals and humans poses a risk for MDRO transmission, companion animals have been studied to a lesser extent than livestock animals. This study therefore used core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) to investigate the genetic relationships and putative transmission of MDROs between humans and pets. Methods: This descriptive integrated typing study included 252 human isolates, 53 dog isolates and 10 cat isolates collected from 2019 to 2022 at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany. CgMLST was performed to characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The genetic diversity of the MDROs of the different host populations was determined and compared based on sequence type and core genome complex type. Results: Within this study the majority of samples from pets and humans was genetically distinct. However, for some isolates, the number of allelic differences identified by cgMLST was low. Two cases of putative household transmission or shared source of VR E. faecium and MDR E. coli between humans and pets were documented. Conclusions: The interaction between humans and their pets appears to play a minor role in the spread of the MDROs studied. However, further research is needed. This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive molecular surveillance and a multidisciplinary One Health approach to understand and contain the spread of MDROs in human and animal populations. Trial Registration: The study is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00030009). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, trends, and potential nosocomial transmission events of the hidden reservoir of rectal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E). Methods: From 2013 to 2022, yearly point prevalence surveys were conducted in a large Dutch teaching hospital. On the day of the survey, all admitted patients were screened for ESBL-E rectal carriage using peri-anal swabs and a consistent and sensitive selective culturing method. All Enterobacterales phenotypically suspected of ESBL production were analysed using whole genome sequencing for ESBL gene detection and clonal relatedness analysis. Results: On average, the ESBL-E prevalence was 4.6% (188/4,119 patients), ranging from 2.1 to 6.6% per year. The ESBL-prevalence decreased on average 5.5% per year. After time trend correction, the prevalence in 2016 and 2020 was lower compared to the other year. Among the ESBL-E, Escherichia coli (80%) and CTX-M genes (85%) predominated. Potential nosocomial transmission events could be found in 5.9% (11/188) of the ESBL-E carriers. Conclusions: The ESBL-E rectal carriage prevalence among hospitalized patients was 4.6% with a downward trend from 2013 to 2022. The decrease in ESBL-E prevalence in 2020 could have been due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent countrywide measures as no nosocomial transmission events were detected in 2020. However, the persistently low ESBL-E prevalences in 2021 and 2022 suggest that the decline in ESBL-E prevalence goes beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that overall ESBL-E carriage rates are declining over time. Continuous monitoring of ESBL-E prevalence and transmission rates can aid infection control policy to keep antibiotic resistance rates in hospitals low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Scabies, an infestation of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, has seen an increase in clinical diagnoses in the Netherlands since 2011. This study aimed to analyse PCR-positive S. scabiei skin samples through partial genome sequencing and to link findings to patient epidemiological characteristics. Methods Skin samples were collected from individuals in the Netherlands between January 2016 and January 2023. On the PCR-positive S. scabiei skin samples, partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) sequencing was performed to assess genetic variability. Epidemiological information was collected through interviews. We examined associations between cox1 subtypes, epidemiological factors and treatment outcomes. Results Sequencing results were obtained from 128 patients, with epidemiological information available for 55 (43%) of these patients. Fifteen distinct cox1 subtypes were identified. Subtype 01 was most prevalent (45%) and present across all age groups and social settings. The remaining subtypes were less common and not consistently found in all contexts. Five clusters were identified, each with identical cox1 subtypes. Comparative analysis with GenBank sequences revealed genetic similarities with strains from Australia, the USA and China, suggesting the global distribution and transmission of specific subtypes. A substantial proportion (73%) of patients with scabies required multiple treatments to eradicate the infestation, with no subtype-related differences. Conclusions This is the first study linking S. scabiei sequencing results to patient epidemiological data. Several subtypes clustered in specific geographic regions and social contexts, underscoring localised transmission patterns. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to enhance our understanding of the transmission of this mite. This study provides valuable insights that will strengthen scabies control efforts. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Introduction The global increase of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is one of the most urgent public health threats affecting both humans and animals. The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health and highlights the need for integrated approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Although the sharing of environments and antimicrobial agents between companion animals and humans poses a risk for MDRO transmission, companion animals have been studied to a lesser extent than livestock animals. This study therefore used core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) to investigate the genetic relationships and putative transmission of MDROs between humans and pets. Methods This descriptive integrated typing study included 252 human isolates, 53 dog isolates and 10 cat isolates collected from 2019 to 2022 at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany. CgMLST was performed to characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The genetic diversity of the MDROs of the different host populations was determined and compared based on sequence type and core genome complex type. Results Within this study the majority of samples from pets and humans was genetically distinct. However, for some isolates, the number of allelic differences identified by cgMLST was low. Two cases of putative household transmission or shared source of VR E. faecium and MDR E. coli between humans and pets were documented. Conclusions The interaction between humans and their pets appears to play a minor role in the spread of the MDROs studied. However, further research is needed. This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive molecular surveillance and a multidisciplinary One Health approach to understand and contain the spread of MDROs in human and animal populations. Trial Registration The study is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00030009).

Abstract Objectives To determine the prevalence, trends, and potential nosocomial transmission events of the hidden reservoir of rectal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E). Methods From 2013 to 2022, yearly point prevalence surveys were conducted in a large Dutch teaching hospital. On the day of the survey, all admitted patients were screened for ESBL-E rectal carriage using peri-anal swabs and a consistent and sensitive selective culturing method. All Enterobacterales phenotypically suspected of ESBL production were analysed using whole genome sequencing for ESBL gene detection and clonal relatedness analysis. Results On average, the ESBL-E prevalence was 4.6% (188/4,119 patients), ranging from 2.1 to 6.6% per year. The ESBL-prevalence decreased on average 5.5% per year. After time trend correction, the prevalence in 2016 and 2020 was lower compared to the other year. Among the ESBL-E, Escherichia coli (80%) and CTX-M genes (85%) predominated. Potential nosocomial transmission events could be found in 5.9% (11/188) of the ESBL-E carriers. Conclusions The ESBL-E rectal carriage prevalence among hospitalized patients was 4.6% with a downward trend from 2013 to 2022. The decrease in ESBL-E prevalence in 2020 could have been due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent countrywide measures as no nosocomial transmission events were detected in 2020. However, the persistently low ESBL-E prevalences in 2021 and 2022 suggest that the decline in ESBL-E prevalence goes beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that overall ESBL-E carriage rates are declining over time. Continuous monitoring of ESBL-E prevalence and transmission rates can aid infection control policy to keep antibiotic resistance rates in hospitals low.

Recent advances in high-throughput proteomic profiling technologies have facilitated the precise quantification of numerous proteins across multiple specimens concurrently. Researchers have the opportunity to comprehensively analyze the molecular signatures in plentiful medical specimens or disease pattern cell lines. Along with advances in data analysis and integration, proteomics data could be efficiently consolidated and employed to recognize precise elementary molecular mechanisms and decode individual biomarkers, guiding the precision treatment of tumors. Herein, we review a broad array of proteomics technologies and the progress and methods for the integration of proteomics data and further discuss how to better merge proteomics in precision medicine and clinical settings.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease of animals that can infect humans. The disease causes significant economic losses and threatens human health. A timely and accurate disease diagnosis plays a vital role in the identification of brucellosis. In addition to traditional diagnostic methods, molecular methods allow diagnosis and typing of the causative agent of brucellosis. This review will discuss various methods, such as Bruce-lаdder, Suiladder, high-resolution melt analysis, restriction fragment length polymorphism, multilocus sequence typing, multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, and whole-genome sequencing single-nucleotide polymorphism, for the molecular typing of Brucella and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

ObjectiveTo provide scientific value for effective prevention of Salmonella infection and treatment， the drug resistance spectrum and drug resistance characteristics of Salmonella enteritidis in Lanzhou was exploreed and a database of some genotypes of Salmonella was established.MethodsA total of 94 strains of Salmonella were isolated from foodborne active surveillance in Lanzhou from 2019 to 2021 by serotyping and biochemical analysis. The drug resistance of 41 strains of Salmonella enteritidis was detected by drug susceptibility testing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. BioNumerics （Version 7.6） software was used to cluster the PFGE profiles of 41 strains of Salmonella enteritidis.ResultsA total of 94 strains of Salmonella could be classified into 20 serotypes， with Salmonella enteritidis as the dominant serogroup， accounting for 43.62% （41/94）. 41 strains of Salmonella enteritidis were generally resistant to quinolone nalidixic acid bacteria （100.00%）， followed by up to 80.49%（33/41） resistance to penicillin ampicillin， the resistance rate to cefazolin was 39.02%（16/41）， and the resistance rates to ampicillin/sulbactam and tetracycline were 31.71%（13/41）. But the drug resistance rates were all 0.00% to imipenem and cefoxitin. Twenty-six （63.41%） of the strains showed multi-drug resistance， resulting in eighteen multi-drug resistance profiles. Lastly， A total of 19 bands were obtained by Xba Ⅰ digestion of 41 strains of Salmonella enteritidis， and the similarity between the bands was 74.20%~100.00%. The number of strains contained in each band type was different， and the homology between strains of the same year was highly and they have 100.00% identical bands.ConclusionSalmonella serotypes in Lanzhou are diverse and PFGE band types are complex， and its dominant serogroup Salmonella enteritidis is highly resistant and multi-drug resistant seriously.

ObjectiveTo provide scientific basis for the prevention and control， early warning， tracing and clinical treatment of diarrheal diseases caused by Salmonella， the serotype distribution， drug resistance and molecular typing characteristics of Salmonella isolates from infectious diarrhea patients in Huzhou City were analyzed.MethodsA total of 126 isolates of Salmonella were collected from 6 sentinel hospitals in Huzhou City from 2021 to 2022. The isolates were characterized by serovar determination， antimicrobial susceptibility tests， and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） typing.ResultsThe 126 strains of Salmonella could be divided into 28 serotypes. The dominant serotypes were Salmonella typhimurium monophasic variant （32.5%， 41/126）， Salmonella enteritidis （24.6%， 31/126） and Salmonella typhimurium （15.1%， 19/126）. Salmonella typhimurium had different resistance characteristics to 15 antibiotics. The resistance rate of Salmonella typhimurium monophasic variant to tetracycline was 73.3% （44/60）， ampicillin and sulfamethoxazole were all 56.7% （34/60）. The resistance rate of Salmonella typhimurium to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole was higher with 68.4% （13/19） and 52.6% （10/19）， respectively. The highest resistance rate of Salmonella enteritidis to ampicillin/sulbactam was 54.8% （17/31） and that of other Salmonella to tetracycline was the highest wih 51.4%（18/35）. The overall multidrug resistance rate was 62.7% （79/126）， showing 20 multidrug resistance spectra. The PFGE fingerprints of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis were obtained 46 and 15 kinds types after digested by Xba Ⅰ enzyme.ConclusionThe predominant serotypes of Salmonella infection in Huzhou City are Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis. The multi-drug resistance of Salmonella bacteria is serious. PFGE zone types are both diverse and dominant.

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a multiparametric ultrasound imaging omics model in predicting the risk of postoperative recurrence and molecular typing of breast cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 534 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer through preoperative ultrasonography and pathology, from January 2018 to June 2023 at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression modeling were used to identify independent risk factors associated with clinical characteristics. The PyRadiomics package was used to delineate the region of interest in selected ultrasound images and extract radiomic features. Subsequently, radiomic scores were established through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy and clinical practicability was conducted through calibration curves and decision curves. Results In the training set, the AUC values for the postoperative recurrence risk prediction model were 0.9489, and for the validation set, they were 0.8491. Regarding the molecular typing prediction model, the AUC values in the training set and validation set were 0.93 and 0.92 for the HER-2 overexpression phenotype, 0.94 and 0.74 for the TNBC phenotype, 1.00 and 0.97 for the luminal A phenotype, and 1.00 and 0.89 for the luminal B phenotype, respectively. Based on a comprehensive analysis of calibration and decision curves, it was established that the model exhibits strong predictive performance and clinical practicability. Conclusion The use of multiparametric ultrasound imaging omics proves to be of significant value in predicting both the risk of postoperative recurrence and molecular typing in breast cancer. This non-invasive approach offers crucial guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

ObjectiveTo comprehend the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli （DEC） in a specific district of Beijing City from 2018 to 2022， aiming to provide evidence for the prevention and control of related diseases.MethodsStool specimens of 1 600 diarrhea cases were collected from 3 surveillance sentinel hospitals in one district of Beijing from 2018 to 2022， and DEC strains were isolated from the specimens. The virulence genes were detected by multiplex PCR， and the pathogenic types were obtained. The epidemiological and clinical data were analyzed. Simultaneously， pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） was used to ascertain the molecular types of the strains. Cluster analysis was performed on the fingerprints of ETEC， EPEC， and EAEC strains.ResultsDEC strains were isolated in 144 of 1 600 specimens from one district of Beijing from 2018 to 2022， with a detection rate of 9.00% （144/1 600）. The primary pathogenic type was ETEC， followed by EPEC， EAEC， and EHEC， no EIEC cases were detected. The male-to-female ratio of DEC infection cases was 1.48∶1， with the highest detection rate occurring in the 31~45 age group （11.15%， 59/529）. The year 2019 exhibited the highest positive detection rate of DEC， with the highest rates consistently observed during the summer months. Significant differences in the positive detection rate of DEC were observed among different age groups and years. Most of the DEC-positive patients suffered diarrhea， dehydration， abdominal pain and watery stool. The 144 DEC strains yielded 111 bands， with homology ranging from 13.07% to 100.00%. Isolates of the same type ranged from 2 to 7 strains， and their separation intervals varied from the same day to several years.ConclusionETEC and EPEC were the predominant pathogenic types of DEC in this area， while EHEC infections persisted. DEC exhibited a high incidence during the summer and was more frequently detected in young adults. The PFGE bands exhibited a highly polymorphic distribution.

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and deadly cancer, with limited treatment options for advanced-stage patients. Disulfidptosis is a recently identified mechanism of programmed cell death that occurs in SLC7A11 high-expressing cells due to glucose starvation-induced disintegration of the cellular disulfide skeleton. We aimed to explore the potential of disulfidptosis, as a prognostic and therapeutic marker in HCC. Methods We classified HCC patients into two disulfidptosis subtypes (C1 and C2) based on the transcriptional profiles of 31 disulfrgs using a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. Further, five genes (NEIL3, MMP1, STC2, ADH4 and CFHR3) were screened by Cox regression analysis and machine learning algorithm to construct a disulfidptosis scoring system (disulfS). Cell proliferation assay, F-actin staining and PBMC co-culture model were used to validate that disulfidptosis occurs in HCC and correlates with immunotherapy response. Results Our results suggests that the low disulfidptosis subtype (C2) demonstrated better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) prognosis, along with lower levels of immunosuppressive cell infiltration and activation of the glycine/serine/threonine metabolic pathway. Additionally, the low disulfidptosis group showed better responses to immunotherapy and potential antagonism with sorafenib treatment. As a total survival risk factor, disulfS demonstrated high predictive efficacy in multiple validation cohorts. We demonstrated the presence of disulfidptosis in HCC cells and its possible relevance to immunotherapeutic sensitization. Conclusion The present study indicates that novel biomarkers related to disulfidptosis may serve as useful clinical diagnostic indicators for liver cancer, enabling the prediction of prognosis and identification of potential treatment targets. Graphical Abstract

Brucellosis is an infectious disease of animals that can infect humans. The disease causes significant economic losses and threatens human health. A timely and accurate disease diagnosis plays a vital role in the identification of brucellosis. In addition to traditional diagnostic methods, molecular methods allow diagnosis and typing of the causative agent of brucellosis. This review will discuss various methods, such as Bruce-ladder, Suiladder, high-resolution melt analysis, restriction fragment length polymorphism, multilocus sequence typing, multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, and whole-genome sequencing single-nucleotide polymorphism, for the molecular typing of Brucella and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serratia marcescens is known to cause outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Traditionally epidemiological data, antimicrobial resistance patterns and epidemiological typing have been used to guide infection prevention methods. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) applications such as core-genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) applied during an outbreak would potentially yield more information. To use cgMLST to acquire detailed information on the source and spread of bacteria, enabling more efficient control measures during an S. marcescens outbreak at a NICU. Neonates admitted to the NICU of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) during an outbreak between September 2023 and January 2024, with S. marcescens being cultured, were included. Environmental samples were taken to search for a common source, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed, and antimicrobial resistance genes were analysed. S. marcescens strains from 17 of the 20 positive patients were available for molecular typing. The cgMLST scheme revealed five different complex types consisting of four separate clusters. Multiple clusters made an unidentified persistent environmental source as cause of the outbreak less likely, leading to a quick downscaling of infection prevention measures. Differences were shown in aminoglycoside resistance patterns of isolates within the same complex types and patients. The use of ad-hoc cgMLST provided timely data for rational decision-making during an S. marcescens outbreak at the NICU. Antibiotic phenotyping alone was found not to be suitable for studying clonal spread during this outbreak with S. marcescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although rhinoviruses play a major role in exacerbations of childhood asthma, the presence of rhinovirus (RV) RNA in plasma, referred to as viremia, has been investigated in a few studies. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of rhinovirus viremia at the time of asthma exacerbation and to describe the molecular characteristics of rhinoviruses associated with viremia. We conducted an observational, prospective, multicenter study in eight pediatric hospitals (VIRASTHMA2). Preschool‐aged recurrent wheezers (1–5 years) hospitalized for a severe exacerbation were included. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and molecular typing for RV/enteroviruses (EV) were performed on nasal swabs and plasma. Plasma specimens were available for 105 children with positive RT‐PCR for RV/EV in respiratory specimens. Thirty‐six (34.3%) had positive viremia. In plasma, 28 (82.4%) of the typable specimens were RV‐C, five (14.7%) were EV‐D68, and one was RV‐A (2.9%). In all cases, the RV/EV type was identical in the plasma and respiratory specimens. In conclusion, RV/EV viremia is frequent in severe exacerbations of preschool recurrent wheezers, particularly in RV‐C infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a multiparametric ultrasound imaging omics model in predicting the risk of postoperative recurrence and molecular typing of breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 534 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer through preoperative ultrasonography and pathology, from January 2018 to June 2023 at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression modeling were used to identify independent risk factors associated with clinical characteristics. The PyRadiomics package was used to delineate the region of interest in selected ultrasound images and extract radiomic features. Subsequently, radiomic scores were established through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy and clinical practicability was conducted through calibration curves and decision curves. Results: In the training set, the AUC values for the postoperative recurrence risk prediction model were 0.9489, and for the validation set, they were 0.8491. Regarding the molecular typing prediction model, the AUC values in the training set and validation set were 0.93 and 0.92 for the HER-2 overexpression phenotype, 0.94 and 0.74 for the TNBC phenotype, 1.00 and 0.97 for the luminal A phenotype, and 1.00 and 0.89 for the luminal B phenotype, respectively. Based on a comprehensive analysis of calibration and decision curves, it was established that the model exhibits strong predictive performance and clinical practicability. Conclusion: The use of multiparametric ultrasound imaging omics proves to be of significant value in predicting both the risk of postoperative recurrence and molecular typing in breast cancer. This non-invasive approach offers crucial guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of tcdA, tcdB, and binary toxin genes (cdtA and cdtB) by Real-Time PCR and molecular typing of Clostridioides difficile isolated from patient diarrhea samples from Hamadan Hospitals, west of Iran. Background: The concentration of C. difficile toxins (CDTs) is associated with the severity of the disease and the mortality rate. Measuring CDT levels could provide a reliable and objective means of determining the severity of C. difficile infection (CDI). Methods: From November 2018 to September 2019, 130 diarrhea samples were collected from hospitalized patients in three hospitals in Hamadan. C. difficle isolates were detected by culture and PCR. The presence of the genes encoding the toxin was identified by PCR, whereas the measurement of toxin expression was conducted using a relative Real-Time PCR technique. Genetic linkage of the isolates was also assessed by Ribotyping and Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic (rep-PCR) methods. Results: Among 130 diarrhea samples, 16 (12.3%) were positive for C. difficile. Genes encoding cdtA and tcdB were detected in all isolates, and 8 (50%) and 6 (37.5%) isolates were positive for the cdtA and cdtB genes. Real-time PCR results showed different expression levels of the toxin genes. A significant increase in the expression of the tcdA gene was observed compared with the control strain (P<0.05). Besides, more expression of cdtA gene was observed in the strains compared with cdtB gene. Ribotyping and rep-PCR results showed high genetic diversity of C. difficile among hospitals investigated. Conclusion: We encountered toxigenic C. difficile strains with various toxin expression levels, ribotypes, and rep types based on the findings of this study. This indicated that various clones from various sources circulate in the hospitals and among patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and deadly cancer, with limited treatment options for advanced-stage patients. Disulfidptosis is a recently identified mechanism of programmed cell death that occurs in SLC7A11 high-expressing cells due to glucose starvation-induced disintegration of the cellular disulfide skeleton. We aimed to explore the potential of disulfidptosis, as a prognostic and therapeutic marker in HCC. Methods: We classified HCC patients into two disulfidptosis subtypes (C1 and C2) based on the transcriptional profiles of 31 disulfrgs using a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. Further, five genes (NEIL3, MMP1, STC2, ADH4 and CFHR3) were screened by Cox regression analysis and machine learning algorithm to construct a disulfidptosis scoring system (disulfS). Cell proliferation assay, F-actin staining and PBMC co-culture model were used to validate that disulfidptosis occurs in HCC and correlates with immunotherapy response. Results: Our results suggests that the low disulfidptosis subtype (C2) demonstrated better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) prognosis, along with lower levels of immunosuppressive cell infiltration and activation of the glycine/serine/threonine metabolic pathway. Additionally, the low disulfidptosis group showed better responses to immunotherapy and potential antagonism with sorafenib treatment. As a total survival risk factor, disulfS demonstrated high predictive efficacy in multiple validation cohorts. We demonstrated the presence of disulfidptosis in HCC cells and its possible relevance to immunotherapeutic sensitization. Conclusion: The present study indicates that novel biomarkers related to disulfidptosis may serve as useful clinical diagnostic indicators for liver cancer, enabling the prediction of prognosis and identification of potential treatment targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2013, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) research center completed the molecular classification endometrial carcinoma (EC), categorizing patients into POLE (DNA polymerase epsilon) mutation type, microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) type, copy number low (CN-L) type, and copy number high (CN-H) type. Subsequently Western scholars refined this into the ProMisE and Trans-PORTEC classification to better suit clinical applications. Patients with POLE mutation EC have excellent prognosis and lower recurrence rate, allowing for a reduction in surgical scope and a deescalation of treatment. Patients with MSI-H or CN-H are still POLE mutant. MSI-H type patients have a high burden of tumor mutations and significant benefits from immunotherapy. CN-L type patients are the most common, with a prognosis second only to POLE mutant patients. These patients have a higher response rate to hormone therapy to preserve fertility. CN-H type patients have the worst prognosis, with invasive features and a high risk of recurrence. For these patients, postoperative supplementary treatment is necessary to avoid inadequate treatment. However, there are some studies have shown that targeted therapy is more effective for CN-H type patients. The TCGA molecular typing of EC has overcome the limitations of traditional pathological and histological classification for evaluating prognosis, providing new insights into the pathological characteristics, prognosis, clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions of EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the female reproductive system. Recent years have witnessed pivotal developments in the diagnosis and treatment, including the quantitative assessment of lymphovascular space invasion, the ultrastaging of sentinel lymph nodes, and the molecular stratification of endometrial carcinoma, all progressively integrated into clinical practice. These new insights have been incorporated into the 2023 version of the staging system by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), heralding a new era of clinical adoption. The importance of precise pathological evaluation cannot be overstated, serving as a linchpin for prognosticating patient outcomes and steering the course of adjuvant therapies. Through the lens of the updated 2023 FIGO staging for endometrial carcinoma, this discourse aims to elevate the paradigm of pathological diagnosis, promoting a benchmark of standardization and precision for pathologists, thereby empowering clinicians with a deeper and more accurate application of the staging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the genetic profile and characterize antimicrobial resistance, including the main β-lactam antibiotic resistance genes, in Acinetobacterbaumannii isolates from a tertiary hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil, in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods and Results Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were collected between 2023 and 2024 from diverse clinical samples. Antimicrobial resistance testing followed standardized protocols, with β-lactamase-encoding genes detected via PCR and sequencing. Investigation into ISAba1 upstream of bla OXA-carbapenemase and bla ADC genes was also conducted. Genetic diversity was assessed through ERIC-PCR. Among the 78 A. baumannii , widespread resistance to multiple antimicrobials was evident. Various acquired β-lactamase-encoding genes (bla OXA-23,-24,-58,-143, bla VIM, and bla NDM) were detected. Furthermore, this is the first report of bla VIM-2 in A. baumannii isolates harboring either the bla OXA-23-like or the bla OXA-143 gene in Brazil. Molecular typing revealed a high genetic heterogeneity among the isolates, and multi-clonal dissemination. Conclusion The accumulation of genetic resistance determinants underscores the necessity for stringent infection control measures and robust antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb multidrug-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare-associated infections agent and could be an extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producer. Understanding the transmission of this bacterium in a hospital setting needs accurate typing methods. An antibiogram is used to detect the resistance pattern of the isolates. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC)-PCR are rapid, technically simple, and easy-to-interpret DNA typing methods. This study aimed to evaluate the use of antibiotyping, RAPD-, and ERIC-PCR to investigate the heterogeneity of K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens. Materials and Methods: The antibiograms of 46 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were determined by Vitek® 2 Compact. All isolates underwent RAPD-PCR using AP4 primer and ERIC-PCR using ERIC-2 primer. The dendrogram was generated using the GelJ software and analyzed to determine its similarity. The analysis of antibiogram and the molecular typing diversity index was calculated using the formula of the Simpson's diversity index. Results: About 71.7% of the isolates were ESBL-producers, and more than 80% of isolates were susceptible to amikacin, ertapenem, and meropenem. The antibiotyping produced 32 diverse types with DI = 0.964. In addition, the RAPD-PCR produced 47 different types with DI = 1, while ERIC-PCR was 46 (DI=0.999). Conclusion: Antibiotyping, RAPD- and ERIC-PCR showed powerful discrimination power among the isolates, supported the diversity of K. pneumoniae isolates in current study. These combination could be promising tools for clonal relationship determination, including in tracking the transmission of the outbreak's agent in hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although mobile phones as a rapid communication vehicle can lead to improved quality of healthcare, they can also facilitate the transmission of pathogens to patients. This current research focuses on genetic diversity, and genes involved in resistance and biofilm production of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from mobile phones of medical students. Antibiotic resistance profiling and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of antibiotic resistance and biofilm-related genes were investigated and statistically analyzed. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec) types were analyzed by multiplex PCR, and S. aureus protein A gene typing (spa typing) was done using PCR and sequencing. Sixty-four S. aureus isolates (16.8%) were obtained from 380 medical students' mobile phones who were working in hospitals. The findings showed that 71.9% of the isolates were MRSA and 78.1% were classified as MDR. All isolates exhibited sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid. Overall, 7.8% of the isolates displayed an inducible clindamycin resistance phenotype, while 26.7% showed resistance to mupirocin. The results indicated that 68.8% of the isolates were biofilm producers, with 7 isolates (15.9%) classified as strong producers, 22 isolates (50%) as moderate producers, and 15 isolates (34.1%) as weak producers. The most prevalent type was CC8-MRSA III/t030 (18.7%), followed by CC8-MRSA III/t037 (12.5%), CC/ST22-MSSA/t790 (10.9%), CC1-MRSA IV-t114 (9.4%), CC1-MRSA IV-t127 (7.8%), CC8-MRSA V/t064 (7.8%), CC/ST15-MSSA-t360 (7.8%), CC30-MSSA/t021(6.3%), MRSA V-t355 (6.3%), CC8-MRSA III/t421 (4.7%), CC1-MRSA V-t267 (4.7%), and CC/ST15-MSSA-t084 (3.1%). The genetic diversity and prevalent multidrug resistance indicate that the resistance situation of S. aureus recovered from mobile phones in Tehran is severe, posing a potential threat to patients, the community, and healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite numerous studies on Escherichia coli (E. coli) from sheep, there have been few reports on the characterization of E. coli isolates from various organs of individual sheep until now. The present study conducted molecular typing, antibiotics resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes on E. coli isolated from 57 freshly slaughtered apparently healthy sheep carcasses, gallbladders, fecal samples, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). The results demonstrated that the detection rate of R1 LPS core type in E. coli isolated from fecal samples (70.83%) was higher than that from other organs, but the detection rate of antibiotic resistance genes was lower (P < 0.05). The predominant phylogenetic group of E. coli isolated from the carcasses was group B1 (93.33%), and the detection rate of multidrug-resistance phenotype (80%) and the resistance rate of E. coli was higher than that from other organs (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the intensity of biofilm formation of E. coli isolated from MLNs was higher than that from other organs (P < 0.05). However, except for ibeB, the detection rates of virulence genes did not differ in E.coli isolated from different organs. In conclusion, differences were noted in these parameters of E. coli isolated from different organs of individual sheep. Therefore, the data may contain considerable mistakes concerning the actual situation in the host if we only analyze the data of E. coli isolated from feces or carcasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (CLCNEC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma, accounting for approximately 10% of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Mainly composed of coexisting adenocarcinoma components, with strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. The treatment regimen for CLCNEC mainly refers to complete surgical resection as the first choice in the early stage, while patients with stage II or higher require adjuvant treatment. At present, research on CLCNEC is mostly small sample and retrospective, and there is no consensus on whether molecular typing and treatment should be carried out. There is considerable controversy over whether it should be managed as small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, in order to solve the problem of confusion in the selection of treatment regimens for CLCNEC, while also considering the therapeutic effects, this article summarizes and analyzes previous studies, fully seeks evidence, and boldly proposes new therapeutic insights: the etoposide-platinum (EP) regimen serves as the basis for adjuvant therapy; In addition, SCLC/NSCLC-CLCNEC can be distinguished based on presence of RB1 and TP53 co-mutation, and targeted therapy or NSCLC type chemotherapy including platinum + gemcitabine or taxanes (NSCLC-GEM/TAX) can be used in combination or sequentially for NSCLC-CLCNEC.

IntroductionMammals are the main hosts for Brucella sp., agents of worldwide zoonosis. Marine cetaceans and pinnipeds can be infected by Brucella ceti and B. pinnipedialis, respectively. Besides classical bacteriological typing, molecular approaches such as MLVA, MLSA, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can differentiate these species but are cumbersome to perform.MethodsWe compared the DNA and genome sequences of 12 strains isolated from nine marine mammals, with highly zoonotic B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis, and the publicly available genomes of B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis. In silico pipelines were used to detect the antimicrobial resistance (AMR), plasmid, and virulence genes (VGs) by screening six open-source and one home-made library.Results and discussionOur results show that easier-to-use HRM-PCR, Bruce-ladder, and Suis-ladder can separate marine Brucella sp., and the results are fully concordant with other molecular methods, such as WGS. However, the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method cannot discriminate between B. pinnipedialis and B. ceti B1-94-like isolates. MLVA-16 results divided the investigated strains into three clades according to their preferred host, which was confirmed in WGS. In silico analysis did not find any AMR and plasmid genes, suggesting antimicrobial susceptibility of marine Brucella, while the presence of the VGs btpA gene was variable dependent on the clade.ConclusionThe HRM-PCR and Suis-ladder are quick, easy, and cost-effective methods to identify marine Brucella sp. Moreover, in silico genome analyses can give useful insights into the genetic virulence and pathogenicity potential of marine Brucella strains.

ObjectiveTo understand the contamination status， virulence gene carrying status and pulsed field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） molecular typing of Cronobacter sakazakii in food in Shanxi Province.MethodsThe strain was identified by Antu mass spectrometry detection system. Four virulence genes， ompX， cpa， hly and sip， were detected by fluorescent PCR， and PFGE molecular typing was performed.ResultsThe results showed that in 1 050 samples from 2013 to 2022， 80 strains of Cronobacter sakazakii were isolated， and the total detection rate was 7.62%. The detection rates of four virulence genes were ompX 86.25%， cpa 85.00%， hly 98.75% and sip 86.25%， respectively. PFGE genotype was divided into 67 gene profiles with similarity ranging from 43.7% to 100%， showing great genetic diversity among strains.The strains of different origin and different manufacturers were scattered， and only a few strains showed genetic correlation.ConclusionThe results of this study can provide data support for the risk status and typing of Cronobacter sakazakii in food from Shanxi Province， It is necessary to strengthen assessment and multi-link prevention and control.

Xuan Wang,1,&ast; Yi-Fan Wang,2,&ast; Shi-Jun Wang1 1Department of Gynecology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gynecology, Beijing Youan Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shi-Jun Wang, Department of Gynecology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, No. 45 of Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China, Tel + 86 15001119089, Email wangshijundr058@outlook.comObjective: In this study, we investigated the value of molecular typing combined with integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) semi-quantitative indices in endometrial cancer risk stratification.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 86 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with endometrial cancer and underwent surgical treatment after curettage at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2017 and March 2023. Prior to surgery, each patient underwent integrated PET/MRI examination. The postoperative samples were subjected to pathological diagnosis, immunohistochemistry, and POLE gene sequencing. The differences in clinicopathological features between the four molecular subtypes and the differences in integrated PET/MRI semi-quantitative indexes (SUV max, ADC min) between the four molecular subtypes were analyzed. The cutoff value of molecular typing combined with integrated PET/MRI semi-quantitative indices for endometrial cancer risk stratification was determined.Results: There were statistically significant differences in pathological types and tumor grades among the four molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer. The values of the four integrated PET/MRI semi-quantitative indices (SUV max and ADC min) of the molecular subtypes were statistically different. The SUV max was greater in the p53abn mutation group than in the POLE mutation group (P < 0.05). The ADC minimum of the POLE mutation group and the MMR-d group was lower than the NSMP group (P

ObjectiveTo propose targeted prevention and control measures， improve product quality， and ensure food safety， Salmonella contamination in the production and processing of prefabricated crispy pork in a large food processing factory was analyzed.MethodsA total of 103 meat samples were collected during the production and processing of prefabricated crispy pork， and 165 environmental samples were collected before processing. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of Salmonella were performed. Finally， serological typing， multilocus sequence typing （MLST）， and pulsed filed gel electrophoresis （PFGE） typing of the isolated Salmonella strains were evaluated.ResultsThe isolation rate of Salmonella from meat samples was 47.6% （49/103）. The isolation rate of Salmonella from environmental samples was 1.2% （2/165）. Fifty-one Salmonella strains were divided into 9 serotypes and 9 STs. Among them， Salmonella enteritidis ST11 was dominant in the production and processing of prefabricated crispy pork， and was detected in the environment. Twenty-two strains of Salmonella enteritidis were divided into 7 PFGE bands， with a similarity of over 92.9%.ConclusionA high overall contamination rate of Salmonella was found in meat samples. Therefore， controlling Salmonella contamination of raw meat is key to improving product quality. The amount of Salmonella contamination in fried products can be effectively controlled. Furthermore， strict separation of processing and storage areas for poultry and stored products is necessary to prevent cross-contamination of microorganisms in food.

Xanthomonads, including Xanthomonas and Xylella species, constitute a large and significant group of economically and ecologically important plant pathogens. Up-to-date knowledge of these pathogens and their hosts is essential for the development of suitable control measures. Traditional review articles or book chapters have inherent limitations, including static content and rapid obsolescence. To address these challenges, we have developed a Web-based knowledge platform dedicated to xanthomonads, inspired by the concept of living systematic reviews. This platform offers a dynamic resource that encompasses bacterial virulence factors, plant resistance genes, and tools for diagnostics and genetic diversity studies. Our goal is to facilitate access for newcomers to the field, provide continuing education opportunities for students, assist plant protection services with diagnostics, provide valuable information to breeders on sources of resistance and breeding targets, and offer comprehensive expert knowledge to other stakeholders interested in plant-pathogenic xanthomonads. This resource is available for queries and updates at https://euroxanth.ipn.pt. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an aetiological agent of gonorrhoea, which is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), a public health challenge worldwide. Gonorrhoea is undoubtedly a serious health risk, especially for women, due to its often asymptomatic course and the possibility of upper genital tract complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in infertility. The data show that the diagnostic method for N. gonorrhoeae should be specific, simple, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive. Currently, phenotypic identification methods have been dominated by NAAT methods, which allow detection and identification of gonococcus directly in the clinical specimen. However, up today molecular methods do not allow full determination of drug susceptibility.

Objectives: The molecular characteristics of oral lichen planus (OLP) are still unclear, and it is not possible to distinguish the clinical outcome of OLP patients in a short period of time for follow‐up. Here, we investigate the molecular characteristics of lesions in patients with stable lichen planus (SOLP) and recalcitrant erosive oral lichen planus (REOLP). Methods: Our clinical follow‐up cohort was split into SOLP and REOLP groups based on the follow‐up clinical data. The core modules associated with the clinical information were identified by weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA). The OLP cohort samples were divided into two groups by molecular typing, and a prediction model for OLP was created by training neural networks with the neuralnet package. Results: We screened 546 genes in five modules. After doing a molecular type of OLP, it was determined that B cells might have a significant impact on the clinical outcome of OLP. In addition, by means of machine learning, a prediction model was developed to predict the clinical regression of OLP with greater accuracy than the existing clinical diagnostic. Conclusions: Our study revealed humoral immune disorders may make an important contribution to the clinical outcome of OLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether proactive molecular risk classifier for endometrial cancer (ProMisE) could be used to assess the prognosis of patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) or early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) treated with levonorgestrelreleasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 93 AEH or early-stage EC patients who received LNG-IUS to preserve fertility. By immunohistochemistry and gene sequencing, 4 subtypes of ProMisE were identified (p53 wild type [p53 wt], mismatch repairdeficient [MMRd], p53-abnormal, and POLE-mutated). The primary outcome was the time to complete response (CR) after LNG-IUS therapy. Secondary outcomes included the recurrence rate after CR and success rate of conception. Results: Among the 93 patients, 15 (16.1%) were classified as MMRd, 6 (6.5%) as POLEmutated, 5 (5.4%) as p53-abnormal, and 67 (72.0%) as p53 wt. Comparison of serum cancer antigen 125, family history of tumor, and positive rates of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 protein and Ki67 protein in 4 groups showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Patients with the p53-abnormal subtype had the lowest overall CR rate (40%) and the highest recurrence rate (2/2). Patients with POLE-mutated subtype had the best prognosis, and all 6 patients achieved CR. When patients achieved complete remission, assisted reproductive technology was more likely to help them conceive than natural conception (p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with early-stage EC or AEH who are more likely to benefit from fertilitysparing treatment can be identified using ProMisE classifier. Patients with POLE-mutated are suitable for fertility-sparing treatment with LNG-IUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this study was to go through the molecular methods used for typing of carbapenemresistant Acientobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates for investigating the molecular epidemiology all over the world. Multiple typing techniques are required to understand the source and nature of outbreaks caused by Acientobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) and acquired resistance to antimicrobials. Nowadays, there is gradual shift from traditional typing methods to modern molecular methods to study molecular epidemiology and infection control. Molecular typing of A. baumannii strains has been revolutionized significantly in the last 2 decades. A few sequencingbased techniques have been proven as a breakthrough and opened new prospects, which have not been achieved by the traditional methods. In this review, discussed different pre-existing and recently used typing methods to explore the molecular epidemiology of A. baumannii pertaining in context with human infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main causes of hospital- and community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a group of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains with multiple virulence factors known as uropathogenic E. coli. Methods and results: One hundred E. coli isolates from the urine specimens of hospital- and community-acquired UTI patients were characterized based on their virulence factors and genetic relatedness using PCR and RAPD‒PCR, respectively. Among all, the traT (71%), sitA (64%), ompT (54%), malX (49%), ibeA (44%), tsh (39%), hlyD (18%) and cnf1 (12%) genes had the highest to lowest frequencies, respectively. There was no significant difference between the frequency of tested virulence genes in E. coli isolates from inpatients and outpatients. The frequency of the hlyD gene was significantly greater in E. coli isolates from patients hospitalized in gynecology, dermatology and intensive care unit (ICU) wards than in those from other wards. Eight virulence gene patterns were common among the isolates of inpatients in different wards of the same hospital, of which five patterns belonged to the isolates of inpatients in the same ward. More E. coli isolates with similar virulence gene patterns and greater genetic similarity were found in female patients than in male patients. The analysis of the RAPD‒PCR dendrograms revealed more genetic similarities among the E. coli isolates from inpatients than among those from outpatients. Conclusion: Our findings indicate the presence of a wide variety of virulence factors in E. coli isolates and the possibility of spreading the same clones in different wards of the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Candidemia is a major hospital-acquired fungal infection, especially among burn patients. Recognizing the risk factors and the particular organism involved is crucial for effective treatment. Methods: Blood samples from 147 hospitalized burn patients were collected, totaling 534 samples, and cultured in a biphasic medium, then incubated aerobically at 37°C. Candida species were identified using specialized culture media and RFLP-PCR with the MspI restriction enzyme. Descriptive statistics were applied to outline the risk factors, while Student's t-test was employed to compare the variables. Results: Candidemia was detected in 8 patients (5.44%) among hospitalized burn patients. The mean age was 38.3±21.3 years, with an average hospital stay of 32.7 days, a total body surface area burned of 32.7%, and a mortality rate of 19.7%. Patients with candidemia had higher values for these variables. Major causes of hospitalization included explosions, burns over more than three sites (70.1%), and severe burns (degrees 3-4). Significant associations were found between candidemia and the use of central venous catheters, catheter colonization, corticosteroid use, and intravenous nutrition (P≤0.05). No significant links were noted between candidemia and skin grafts, wound dressings, antibacterial antibiotic use, or fever. The organisms identified were Candida albicans (75%), Candida glabrata (12.5%), and Candida tropicalis (12.5%). Conclusion: The rapid identification, effective management, and treatment of this infection can significantly decrease complications and mortality rates in patients with burn injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an ever-present threat to the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the potential relevance of this phenomenon in environmental reservoirs still raises many questions. Detection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the environment is a critical aspect for understanding the prevalence of resistance outside of clinical settings, as detection in the environment indicates that resistance is likely already widespread. We isolated antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli from three urban waterbodies over a 15-month time series, determined their antimicrobial susceptibilities, investigated their population structure, and ident ified genetic determinants of resistance. We found that E. coli populations at each site were composed of different dominant phylotypes and showed distinct patterns of antimicrobial and multidrug resistance, despite close geographic proximity. Many strains that were genome-sequenced belonged to sequence types of international concern, particularly the ST131 clonal complex. We found widespread resistance to clinically important antimicrobials such as amoxicillin, cefotaxime, and ciprofloxacin, but found that all strains were susceptible to amikacin and the last-line antimicrobials meropenem and fosfomycin. Resistance was most often due to acquirable antimicrobial resistance genes, while chromosomal mutations in gyrA, parC, and parE conferred resistance to quinolones. Whole-genome analysis of a subset of strains further revealed the diversity of the population of E. coli present, with a wide array of AMR and virulence genes identified, many of which were present on the chromosome, including blaCTX-M. Finally, we determined that environmental persistence, transmission between sites, most likely mediated by wild birds, and transfer of mobile genetic elements likely contributed significantly to the patterns observed. IMPORTANCE A One Health perspective is crucial to understand the extent of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally, and investigation of AMR in the environment has been increasing in recent years. However, most studies have focused on waterways that are directly polluted by sewage, industrial manufacturing, or agricultural activities. Therefore, there remains a lack of knowledge about more natural, less overtly impacted environments. Through phenotypic and genotypic investigation of AMR in Escherichia coli, this study adds to our understanding of the extent and patterns of resistance in these types of environments, including over a time series, and showed that complex biotic and abiotic factors contribute to the patterns observed. Our study further emphasizes the importance of incorporating the surveillance of microbes in freshwater environments in order to better comprehend potential risks for both human and animal health and how the environment may serve as a sentinel for potential future clinical infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To discuss the differences in drug resistance, molecular typing, and biofilmforming abilities of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from respiratory and nonrespiratory tract specimens. Methods: A total of 100 MRSA strains were selected from clinical specimens of the hospitalized patients, and 50 MRSA strains were isolated from the respiratory specimens and another 50 MRSA strains were isolated from non-respiratory tract specimens. These 100 MRSA strains underwent an in vitro susceptibility test for 14 kinds of antimicrobial drugs, molecular typing was performed through multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Staphylococcus aureus protein A (Spa) typing, and their biofilm-forming abilities were detected by crystal violet staining assay. Results: The in vitro susceptibility tests results showed that all the 100 MRSA strains had high overall resistance rates of over 60. 0% to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and tetracycline, while only 9. 0% exhibited resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and all the strains were susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Compared with those isolated from non-respiratory tract specimens，the MRSA strains isolated from respiratory tract specimens showed significantly higher resistance rates to moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and gentamicin (P<0. 05). Among the 100 MRSA strains，17 genotypes were identified, and the dominant types weve ST5-t2460 (26. 0%), ST239-t030 (23. 0%), and ST59-t437 (20. 0%). In the MRSA from the respiratory tract specimens, the dominant types were ST5-t2460 (20. 0%) and ST239-t030 (13. 0%), followed by ST59-t437 (7. 0%); in the non-respiratory tract specimens，13 genotypes were found, and the dominant types were ST59-t437 (13. 0%) and ST239-t030 (10. 0%). All 100 MRSA strains were biofilm producers, among them the strong biofilm formers, moderate biofilm formers, and weak biofilm formers accounted for 2. 0% (2/100), 24. 0% (24/100), and 74. 0% (74/100), respectively. The ST59-t437 clones had overall strong biofilm-forming abilities, and 60. 0% (12/20) stains were moderate to strong biofilm formers. Conclusion: The MRSA strains isolated from the respiratory tract specimens have a significantly higher overall resistance rate than those isolated from the non-respiratory tract specimens. The ST59-t437 and ST239-t030 genotypes are dominant clones common to both types of specimens, and ST59-t437 strains show strong biofilm-forming abilities, and ST239-t030 strains exhibit the strongest resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an aetiological agent of gonorrhoea, which is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), a public health challenge worldwide. Gonorrhoea is undoubtedly a serious health risk, especially for women, due to its often asymptomatic course and the possibility of upper genital tract complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in infertility. The data show that the diagnostic method for N. gonorrhoeae should be specific, simple, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive. Currently, phenotypic identification methods have been dominated by NAAT methods, which allow detection and identification of gonococcus directly in the clinical specimen. However, up today molecular methods do not allow full determination of drug susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare-associated infections agent and could be an extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producer. Understanding the transmission of this bacterium in a hospital setting needs accurate typing methods. An antibiogram is used to detect the resistance pattern of the isolates. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC)-PCR are rapid, technically simple, and easy-to-interpret DNA typing methods. This study aimed to evaluate the use of antibiotyping, RAPD-, and ERIC-PCR to investigate the heterogeneity of K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens. Materials and Methods: The antibiograms of 46 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were determined by Vitek® 2 Compact. All isolates underwent RAPD-PCR using AP4 primer and ERIC-PCR using ERIC-2 primer. The dendrogram was generated using the GelJ software and analyzed to determine its similarity. The analysis of antibiogram and the molecular typing diversity index was calculated using the formula of the Simpson’s diversity index. Results: About 71.7% of the isolates were ESBL-producers, and more than 80% of isolates were susceptible to amikacin, ertapenem, and meropenem. The antibiotyping produced 32 diverse types with DI = 0.964. In Conclusion: Antibiotyping, RAPD- and ERIC-PCR showed powerful discrimination power among the isolates, supported the diversity of K. pneumoniae isolates in current study. These combination could be promising tools for clonal relationship determination, including in tracking the transmission of the outbreak’s agent in hospital setting.