In silico phylogenetic and virulence gene profile analyses of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli genome sequences.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infections are responsible for significant losses in the poultry industry worldwide. A zoonotic risk has been attributed to APEC strains because they present similarities to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) associated with illness in humans, mainly urinary tract infections and neonatal meningitis. Here, we present in silico analyses with pathogenic E. coli genome sequences, including recently available APEC genomes. The phylogenetic tree, based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of seven housekeeping genes, revealed high diversity in the allelic composition. Nevertheless, despite this diversity, the phylogenetic tree was able to cluster the different pathotypes together. An in silico virulence gene profile was also determined for each of these strains, through the presence or absence of 83 well-known virulence genes/traits described in pathogenic E. coli strains. The MLST phylogeny and the virulence gene profiles demonstrated a certain genetic similarity between Brazilian APEC strains, APEC isolated in the United States, UPEC (uropathogenic E. coli) and diarrheagenic strains isolated from humans. This correlation corroborates and reinforces the zoonotic potential hypothesis proposed to APEC

Characterization of CMY-2-type betalactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from chicken carcasses and human infection in a city of South Brazil.

Food-producing animals, mainly poultry, have been associated with the maintenance and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, to humans, thus impacting food safety. Many studies have shown that Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry and humans infections share identical cephalosporin resistance, suggesting that transmission of resistance from poultry meat to humans may occur. The aim of this study was to characterize pAmpC-producing E. coli strains isolated from chicken carcasses and human infection in a restrict area and to determine their antimicrobial resistance profiles, and molecular type by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).ResultsA total of 14 pAmpC-producing E. coli strains were isolated, including eight strains from chicken carcasses and six strains from human infections (from urine, tissue and secretion). The bla(CMY-2) gene was identified in all pAmpC-producing E. coli strains by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. High percentages of strains resistant to tetracycline, nalidixic acid and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (78-92%) were detected, all of which were considered multidrug-resistant. Among the non-beta-lactam resistance genes, the majority of the strains showed tetA, tetB, sulI and sulII. No strain was considered an extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producer, and the bla(TEM-1) gene was found in 2 strains isolated from human infection. Six strains from chicken carcasses and four strains from humans infections were linked to an ISEcp1-like element. Through MLST, 11 sequence types were found. Three strains isolated from human infection and one strain isolated from chicken carcasses belonged to the same sequence type (ST354). However, considerable heterogeneity between the strains from chicken carcasses and humans was confirmed by PFGE analysis.ConclusionThis study showed the prevalence of E. coli strains producing bla(CMY-2) linked to ISEcp1 that were present in both chickens and humans in a restricted area. Our results also suggest the presence of a highly diverse strains that harbor pAmpC, indicating no clonal dissemination. Therefore, continuous monitoring and comparative analyses of resistant bacteria from humans and food-producing animals are needed19COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO ARAUCÁRIA DE APOIO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO DO ESTADO DO PARANÁ - FASem informação09/2016-1074

Avaliação da capacidade imunoestimulante e da estabilidade de um probiótico empregado em rações de cães

The time of viability of a thermostableprobiótica (TR) in extruded and mealy formulationsfor dog food and their imunoestimulant effects indogs were evaluated. A commercial, lyophilized,thermostable and encapsulated probiotic,composed of Bacillus cereus (ATCC 9634) 4,0 xl08 UFC/g; Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 3131) 4,0 x l08UFC/g, was incorporated in an extruded and in amealy commercial dog food. In one experiment,quantitative and qualitative survival ratios of bacteriawere evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage.In other, 10 dogs (males and females) with weightvarying from 10 to 30 kg, without defined breeds,were divided in two groups of five animals each.All animals without serological titre anti-leptospiraswere vaccinated against the serovares canicolaand icterohaemorrhagiae in the beginning of theexperiment and maintained in individual facilities for60 days. The animals of group I received extrudedration with Probiotic TR and the animals of group IIreceived the same extruded ration without ProbioticTR (controls). The antibodies’ titres againstserovares canicola and icterohaemorrhagiaewere determined before vaccination, and at 15o,30o and 60o day after, using microscopic serumagglutinationreaction with live antigens. Accordingto the results of total count of spores in extrudedand mealy rations, the probiotic TR was stable for asuperior period than 12 months. The stimulation ofthe immune response was verified by elevation ofserological titres from group I animals at 15o., 30o.and 60o. day after vaccination while the control dogsshowed lower and unstable responses.Foi avaliado um probiótico termo-resistente,liofilizado e encapsulado, composto de Bacilluscereus (ATCC 9634) 4,0 x l08 UFC/g e Bacillus subtilis(CCT 3131) 4,0 x l08 UFC/g, incorporado emuma ração comercial para cães com o objetivo deavaliar sua viabilidade durante o período de umano, e o seu efeito imunoestimulante quando fornecidoàs dietas. No primeiro experimento, foi avaliadaa sobrevivência das bactérias quantitativamentee qualitativamente depois de 3, 6, 9, 12 meses deestocagem. No segundo ensaio, foram utilizados 10cães (machos e fêmeas) com peso variando de 10a 30 kg, sem raças definidas, divididos em dois gruposde cinco animais cada. Todos os animais semtítulo sorológico anti-leptospira, foram vacinadoscontra os sorovares canicola e icterohaemorrhagiaeno início do experimento e mantidos em canis individuaisdurante 60 dias. Os animais do grupo Ireceberam ração extrusada acrescida de ProbióticoTR e, os animais do grupo II receberam a mesmaração extrusada sem o Probiótico TR, sendo mantidoscomo controles. Os títulos de anticorpos contraos sorovares canicola e icterohaemorrhagiae foramdeterminados antes da vacinação, no 15o, 30o e 60odia após, utilizando a reação de soro-aglutinaçãomicroscópica com antígenos vivos. Pelos resultadosda contagem total de esporos nas rações extrusadae farelada, o probiótico TR é notadamente estávelpor período superior a 12 meses. O estímuloda resposta imune foi verificado pela elevação dostítulos dos animais do grupo I no 15o, 30o e 60o diaapós a vacinação. Este fato é atribuído à ingestãodo probiótico TR, uma vez que entre os animais quenão receberam ração com probiótico TR (grupo II), a resposta imune foi menor e instável

A density functional theory insight into structural, mechanical, and optical properties of Rb 2LiTlF 6 double perovskite

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in Github at https://github.com/elkana35/elkana.rugut, reference number 0.Please read abstract in article.University of Stellenbosch National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Science.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15272648PhysicsSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

Femoroacetabular Impingement (F.A.I.): biomechanical and dynamic considerations.

Femoroacetabular impingement (F.A.I.) is a pathologic process caused by abnormality of the shape of the acetabulum, of the femoral head, or both. F.A.I. often referred to as idiopathic, may be secondary to slipped capital epiphysis, congenital hypoplasia of the femur, Legg-Calv\ue9 Perthes desease, post-traumatic mal-union and protrusio acetabuli. From 2009 to 2012 we studied 21 patients (14 males), with average age of 52 years old (33 y - 75 y) affected by idiopathic F.A.I. Every patient underwent to pelvic and hip joint X-rays and CT scan with 3D reconstructions, in order to evaluate morphology of the pelvis and the hip joint and the torsion of the lower limbs (femoroacetabular ante-retroversion). Our results show an average femoral ante-version angle of 12,4\ub0 (15\ub0- 20\ub0 physiological range) in patients affected by CAM impingement and an average acetabular ante-version angle of 13,5\ub0 (15\ub0 - 20\ub0 physiological range) for those with PINCER impingement.These values, in patients affected by F.A.I., are probably related to the morphologic and biomechanical features that may lead to the onset of the idiopathic femoroacetabular impingement. In literature, other studies partially support our findings, suggesting a more critical approach to the patient with idiopathic F.A.I. extending the evaluations to near articulations. Impingement femoro-acetabolare (F.A.I.) indica quadri anatomopatologici caratterizzati da anomalie morfologiche dell\u2019epifisi prossimale femorale e/o della cavit\ue0 acetabolare.Dal punto di vista eziopatogenetico si possono individuare F.A.I. secondari ad esiti di patologie dell\u2019infanzia (displasia congenita dell\u2019anca, Legg- Calv\ue9 Perthes, epifisiolisi), di mancate consolidazioni post-traumatiche, protrusio acetabuli e FAI idiopatici.Abbiamo studiato, presso la nostra clinica, dal 2009 al 2012, 21 pazienti (14 maschi) con et\ue0 media di 52 anni (33- 75 aa) affetti da FAI idiopatico con anamnesi silente per patologie o cause note.Tutti i pazienti sono stati sottoposti a radiologia convenzionale e TC con ricostruzioni 3D per valutazione degli angoli di antiversione femorale e acetabolare. I nostri risultati hanno evidenziato un valore medio di antiversione femorale di 12,4\ub0 (range di normalit\ue0 15-20\ub0) nei pazienti affetti da CAMimpingement e 13,5\ub0 (15-20\ub0) di antiversione acetabolare in quelli affetti da PINCER impingement. Queste misurazioni, in rapporto ai quadri strumentali di F.A.I. hanno evidenziato una probabile correlazione tra il vizioso orientamento reciproco di cotile e testa femorale e la genesi del F.A.I. stesso, considerato idiopatico. Il confronto dei nostri risultati con quelli riportati in letteratura parrebbe avallare solo in parte le nostre ipotesi biomeccaniche, suggerendo un\u2019analisi pi\uf9 critica e approfondita ed allargata ad altre articolazioni quando ci si approccia ad un paziente affetto da F.A.I. idiopatico

Structural, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of CH3NH3PbI3 as a photoactive layer in perovskite solar cell

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Data associated with this article, such as crystal structure information, averaged values of the real and imaginary parts of the complex dielectric function, and absorptivity data used to theoretically predict the upper limit of solar efficiency, is openly available at a github pseudo-cubic repository (https://github.com/elkana35/MAPbI3_pseudo-cubic.git (accessed on 3 May 2023)).Please read abstract in the article.University of Stellenbosch National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Science and the APC was funded by University of Venda.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/photonicshj2024PhysicsSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

Comparative genomics of European Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC)

Background Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis, which results in significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. However, the diversity between isolates remains poorly understood. Here, a total of 272 APEC isolates collected from the United Kingdom (UK), Italy and Germany were characterised using multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) targeting 22 equally weighted factors covering virulence genes, R-type and phylogroup. Following these analysis, 95 of the selected strains were further analysed using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Results The most prevalent phylogroups were B2 (47%) and A1 (22%), although there were national differences with Germany presenting group B2 (35.3%), Italy presenting group A1 (53.3%) and UK presenting group B2 (56.1%) as the most prevalent. R-type R1 was the most frequent type (55%) among APEC, but multiple R-types were also frequent (26.8%). Following compilation of all the PCR data which covered a total of 15 virulence genes, it was possible to build a similarity tree using each PCR result unweighted to produce 9 distinct groups. The average number of virulence genes was 6-8 per isolate, but no positive association was found between phylogroup and number or type of virulence genes. A total of 95 isolates representing each of these 9 groupings were genome sequenced and analysed for in silico serotype, Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The UK isolates showed the greatest variability in terms of serotype and MLST compared with German and Italian isolates, whereas the lowest prevalence of AMR was found for German isolates. Similarity trees were compiled using sequencing data and notably single nucleotide polymorphism data generated ten distinct geno-groups. The frequency of geno-groups across Europe comprised 26.3% belonging to Group 8 representing serogroups O2, O4, O18 and MLST types ST95, ST140, ST141, ST428, ST1618 and others, 18.9% belonging to Group 1 (serogroups O78 and MLST types ST23, ST2230), 15.8% belonging to Group 10 (serogroups O8, O45, O91, O125ab and variable MLST types), 14.7% belonging to Group 7 (serogroups O4, O24, O35, O53, O161 and MLST type ST117) and 13.7% belonging to Group 9 (serogroups O1, O16, O181 and others and MLST types ST10, ST48 and others). The other groups (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) each contained relatively few strains. However, for some of the genogroups (e.g. groups 6 and 7) partial overlap with SNPs grouping and PCR grouping (matching PCR groups 8 (13 isolates on 22) and 1 (14 isolates on 16) were observable). However, it was not possible to obtain a clear correlation between genogroups and unweighted PCR groupings. This may be due to the genome plasticity of E. coli that enables strains to carry the same virulence factors even if the overall genotype is substantially different. Conclusions The conclusion to be drawn from the lack of correlations is that firstly, APEC are very diverse and secondly, it is not possible to rely on any one or more basic molecular or phenotypic tests to define APEC with clarity, reaffirming the need for whole genome analysis approaches which we describe here. This study highlights the presence of previously unreported serotypes and MLSTs for APEC in Europe. Moreover, it is a first step on a cautious reconsideration of the merits of classical identification criteria such as R typing, phylogrouping and serotyping