Global diversity and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever pathogens: Insights from a meta-analysis of 13,000 Salmonella Typhi genomes

Background: The Global Typhoid Genomics Consortium was established to bring together the typhoid research community to aggregate and analyse Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (Typhi) genomic data to inform public health action. This analysis, which marks 22 years since the publication of the first Typhi genome, represents the largest Typhi genome sequence collection to date (n=13,000). Methods: This is a meta-analysis of global genotype and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants extracted from previously sequenced genome data and analysed using consistent methods implemented in open analysis platforms GenoTyphi and Pathogenwatch. Results: Compared with previous global snapshots, the data highlight that genotype 4.3.1 (H58) has not spread beyond Asia and Eastern/Southern Africa; in other regions, distinct genotypes dominate and have independently evolved AMR. Data gaps remain in many parts of the world, and we show the potential of travel-associated sequences to provide informal ‘sentinel’ surveillance for such locations. The data indicate that ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility (>1 resistance determinant) is widespread across geographies and genotypes, with high-level ciprofloxacin resistance (=3 determinants) reaching 20% prevalence in South Asia. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid has becomedominant in Pakistan (70% in 2020) but has not yet become established elsewhere. Ceftriaxone resistance has emerged in eight non-XDR genotypes, including a ciprofloxacin-resistant lineage (4.3.1.2.1) in India. Azithromycin resistance mutations were detected at low prevalence in South Asia, including in two common ciprofloxacin-resistant genotypes. Conclusions: The consortium’s aim is to encourage continued data sharing and collaboration to monitor the emergence and global spread of AMR Typhi, and to inform decision-making around the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) and other prevention and control strategies

Skill up before you grow up!

While everyone is busy chasing papers and academic excellence, the core essence of human skills is lost. Children in this generation are constantly put under lots of pressure to excel academically. They are shoved from schools to tuition centres in pursuit of acquiring strings of As so that they are able to garner scholarships to further their education. In this effort, enhancement of soft skills is often neglected. We usually believe these soft-skills can be learnt when the child goes to college or when they work

Eugenol exhibits anti-virulence properties by competitively binding to quorum sensing receptors

<p>The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the anti-biofilm and anti-virulence properties of sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels of eugenol against the standard strain PAO1 and two multi-drug resistant <i>P. aeruginosa</i> clinical isolates utilizing quorum sensing inhibition (QSI). Eugenol at 400 μM significantly reduced biofilm formation on urinary catheters and the virulence factors (VF) including extracellular polysaccharides, rhamnolipid, elastase, protease, pyocyanin, and pyoverdine (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Further, eugenol exhibited a marked effect on the production of QS signals (AIs) (<i>p</i> < 0.001) without affecting their chemical integrity. <i>In silico</i> docking studies demonstrated a stable molecular binding between eugenol and QS receptor(s) in comparison with respective AIs. Investigation on reporter strains confirmed the competitive binding of eugenol to a QS receptor (LasR) as the possible QSI mechanism leading to significant repression of QS associated genes besides the VF genes (<i>p</i> < 0.001). This study provides insights, for the first time, into the mechanism of the anti-virulence properties of eugenol.</p

Growth and Characterization of Non-Linear Optical Single Crystal: L-cysteine Hydrochloride Monohydrate

Nonlinear optical single crystals of L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (LCB) were grown by slow evaporation technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the crystal system and helped to determine lattice parameter values. Powder X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out and the diffraction patterns were indexed. The optical properties of the crystals were determined using UV-visible spectroscopy. Optical constants such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and electric susceptibility were determined from UV-visible spectroscopy. The Fourier transform infrared studies confirmed the various functional groups present in the grown crystal. The mechanical behaviour of the grown crystals was studied using Vicker's microhardness tester. The thermal analysis confirmed that the crystal was stable up to 108.7°C. The dielectric constant and the dielectric loss measurements were carried out for different temperatures and frequencies. Second harmonic generation of LCB crystal was investigated by the Kurtz powder technique

Effect of processing parameters on Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system

270-272The effect of calcium content on the formation of the superconducting phases in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O systems has been examined. The influence of sintering temperature and the duration of sintering time has been studied

Effect of metallic substitution on the optical, mechanical and photoconducting properties of L-arginium diphosphate single crystals

463-468L-arginium diphosphate (LADP) is one of the important analogs of LAP crystal. LADP has excellent optical, thermal and mechanical properties, which make it a potential candidate for photonics device fabrication. The present work deals with the growth and characterization of metal (Cu2+ and Mg<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-language:HI">2+<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-language:HI">) substituted single crystals of LADP. The grown crystals are subjected to single crystal XRD, AAS, FTIR, DRS spectra and microhardness studies. Microhardness studies indicate that the presence of dopant has enhanced the hardness of the material. The photoconductivity study reveals the positive photoconducting nature of both pure and doped crystals. </span