Novel phylogenetic algorithm to monitor human tropism in Egyptian H5N1-HPAIV reveals evolution toward efficient human-to-human transmission

Years of endemic infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A subtype H5N1 virus in poultry and high numbers of infections in humans provide ample opportunity in Egypt for H5N1-HPAIV to develop pandemic potential. In an effort to better understand the viral determinants that facilitate human infections of the Egyptian H5N1-HPAIVvirus, we developed a new phylogenetic algorithm based on a new distance measure derived from the informational spectrum method (ISM). This new approach, which describes functional aspects of the evolution of the hemagglutinin subunit 1 (HA1), revealed a growing group G2 of H5N1-HPAIV in Egypt after 2009 that acquired new informational spectrum (IS) properties suggestive of an increased human tropism and pandemic potential. While in 2006 all viruses in Egypt belonged to the G1 group, by 2011 these viruses were virtually replaced by G2 viruses. All of the G2 viruses displayed four characteristic mutations (D43N, S120(D,N), (S,L)129Δ and I151T), three of which were previously reported to increase binding to the human receptor. Already in 2006–2008 G2 viruses were significantly (p<0.02) more often found in humans than expected from their overall prevalence and this further increased in 2009–2011 (p<0.007). Our approach also identified viruses that acquired additional mutations that we predict to further enhance their human tropism. The extensive evolution of Egyptian H5N1-HPAIV towards a preferential human tropism underlines an urgent need to closely monitor these viruses with respect to molecular determinants of virulence

Synthesis of polymer Janus particles with tunable wettability profiles as potent solid surfactants to promote gas delivery in aqueous reaction media

Janus particles exhibit a strong tendency to directionally assemble and segregate to interfaces and thus offer advantages as colloidal analogues of molecular surfactants to improve the stability of multiphasic mixtures. Investigation and application of the unique adsorption properties require synthetic procedures that enable careful design and reliable control over the particles’ asymmetric chemistry and wettability profiles with high morphological uniformity across a sample. Herein, we report on a novel one-step synthetic approach for the generation of amphiphilic polymer Janus particles with highly uniform and tunable wettability contrasts, which is based on using reconfigurable bi-phasic Janus emulsions as versatile particle scaffolds. Two phase-separated acrylate oils were used as the constituent droplet phases and transformed into their solidified Janus particle replicas via UV-induced radical polymerization. Using Janus emulsions as particle precursors offers the advantage that their internal droplet geometry can be fine-tuned by changing the force balance of surface tensions acting at the individual interfaces via surfactants or the volume ratio of the constituent phases. In addition, preassembled functional surfactants at the droplet interfaces can be locked in position upon polymerization, which enables both access toward postfunctionalization reaction schemes and the generation of highly uniform Janus particles with adjustable wettability profiles. Depending on the particle morphology and wettability, their interfacial position can be adjusted, which allows us to stabilize either air bubbles-in-water or water droplets-in-air (liquid marbles). Motivated by the interfacial activity of the particles and particularly the longevity of the resulting particle-stabilized air-in-water bubbles, we explored their ability to promote the delivery of oxygen inside a liquid-phase reaction medium, namely, for the heterogeneous Au-NP-mediated catalytic oxidation of d-glucose. We observed a 2.2-fold increase in the reaction rate attributed to the increase of the local concentration of oxygen around catalysts, thus showcasing a new strategy to overcome the limited solubility of gases in aqueous reaction media

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in patients with bacteraemia at tertiary academic hospitals in South Africa, 2019 - 2020: An update

Background. The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has become a serious and significant public health threat worldwide, owing to the limited antimicrobial therapy options, and the elevated mortality rates associated with these infections. Objectives. To present an update on the epidemiology of CRE bloodstream infections among hospitalised patients reported under the Group for Enteric, Respiratory and Meningeal Diseases Surveillance in South Africa (GERMS-SA) between January 2019 and December 2020. Methods. Patients of all ages with CRE bacteraemia were included and isolates, when available, were sent to the reference laboratory for confirmatory testing and molecular characterisation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Results. We included 2 144 patients with CRE bacteraemia with a median age of 33 (interquartile range 1 - 51) years, of whom 1 145 (54.2%) were male. Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for 79.8% of infections (n=863/1 082), of which 89.5% (n=611/683) were healthcare associated (HA). The most common carbapenemase genes were carbapenem-hydrolysing oxacillinase-48 (blaOXA-48-like) (76.8%; n=761/991), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (blaNDM) (21.1%; n=209/991) and Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (blaVIM) (1.3%; n=13/991). None of the screened isolates with a colistin minimum inhibitory concentration >2 μg/mL harboured the mobilised colistin resistance (mcr)-1 to mcr-5 genes. The crude in-hospital mortality rate was 36.6% (n=377/1 029). Patients aged ≥60 years (v. 1.6 - 9 years) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.21 - 9.28), those with comorbidities (diabetes, malignancy, renal and/or cardiovascular failure) (aOR 1.72; 95% CI 1.17 - 2.52), those with altered mental state (aOR 5.36; 95% CI 3.21 - 8.92) and those with previous antimicrobial use (aOR 1.88; 95% CI 1.27 - 2.77) had increased odds of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion. The epidemiology of CRE bloodstream infections remained similar compared with the previous surveillance report. Most infections were HA and caused by OXA-48-like carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae with no plasmid-mediated colistin resistance. Standard infection control measures should be strengthened

The interface of syntax with pragmatics and prosody in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

In order to study problems of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with morphosyntax, we investigated twenty high-functioning Greek-speaking children (mean age:6;11) and twenty age- and language-matched typically developing children on environments that allow or forbid object clitics or their corresponding noun phrase. Children with ASD fell behind typically developing in comprehending and producing simple clitics and producing noun phrases in focus structures. The two groups performed similarly in comprehending and producing clitics in clitic left dislocation and in producing noun phrases in non-focus structures. We argue that children with ASD have difficulties at the interface of(morpho)syntax with pragmatics and prosody, namely, distinguishing a discourse prominent element, and considering intonation relevant for a particular interpretation that excludes clitics

Heterostructure Engineering of a Reverse Water Gas Shift Photocatalyst

To achieve substantial reductions in CO2 emissions, catalysts for the photoreduction of CO2 into value‐added chemicals and fuels will most likely be at the heart of key renewable‐energy technologies. Despite tremendous efforts, developing highly active and selective CO2 reduction photocatalysts remains a great challenge. Herein, a metal oxide heterostructure engineering strategy that enables the gas‐phase, photocatalytic, heterogeneous hydrogenation of CO2 to CO with high performance metrics (i.e., the conversion rate of CO2 to CO reached as high as 1400 µmol g cat−1 h−1) is reported. The catalyst is comprised of indium oxide nanocrystals, In2O3−x(OH)y, nucleated and grown on the surface of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) nanorods. The heterostructure between In2O3−x(OH)y nanocrystals and the Nb2O5 nanorod support increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies and prolongs excited state (electron and hole) lifetimes. Together, these effects result in a dramatically improved photocatalytic performance compared to the isolated In2O3−x(OH)y material. The defect optimized heterostructure exhibits a 44‐fold higher conversion rate than pristine In2O3−x(OH)y. It also exhibits selective conversion of CO2 to CO as well as long‐term operational stability

Education can improve the negative perception of a threatened long-lived scavenging bird, the Andean condor

Human-wildlife conflicts currently represent one of the main conservation problems for wildlife species around the world. Vultures have serious conservation concerns, many of which are related to people's adverse perception about them due to the belief that they prey on livestock. Our aim was to assess local perception and the factors influencing people's perception of the largest scavenging bird in South America, the Andean condor. For this, we interviewed 112 people from Valle Fértil, San Juan province, a rural area of central west Argentina. Overall, people in the area mostly have an elementary education, and their most important activity is livestock rearing. The results showed that, in general, most people perceive the Andean condor as an injurious species and, in fact, some people recognize that they still kill condors. We identified two major factors that affect this perception, the education level of villagers and their relationship with livestock ranching. Our study suggests that conservation of condors and other similar scavengers depends on education programs designed to change the negative perception people have about them. Such programs should be particularly focused on ranchers since they are the ones who have the worst perception of these scavengers. We suggest that highlighting the central ecological role of scavengers and recovering their cultural value would be fundamental to reverse their persecution and their negative perception by people.Fil: Cailly Arnulphi, Verónica Beatríz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; ArgentinaFil: Lambertucci, Sergio Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Borghi, Carlos Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; Argentin