Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli among Humans and Backyard Animals

Background: The rapidly increasing dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in both humans and animals poses a global threat to public health. However, the transmission of CRE between humans and animals has not yet been well studied. Objectives: We investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and drivers of CRE transmission between humans and their backyard animals in rural China. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive sampling strategy in 12 villages in Shandong, China. Using the household [residents and their backyard animals (farm and companion animals)] as a single surveillance unit, we assessed the prevalence of CRE at the household level and examined the factors associated with CRE carriage through a detailed questionnaire. Genetic relationships among human- and animal-derived CRE were assessed using whole-genome sequencing–based molecular methods. Results: A total of 88 New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases –type carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (NDM-EC), including 17 from humans, 44 from pigs, 12 from chickens, 1 from cattle, and 2 from dogs, were isolated from 65 of the 746 households examined. The remaining 12 NDM-EC were from flies in the immediate backyard environment. The NDM-EC colonization in households was significantly associated with a) the number of species of backyard animals raised/kept in the same household, and b) the use of human and/or animal feces as fertilizer. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) revealed that a large proportion of the core genomes of the NDM-EC belonged to strains from hosts other than their own, and several human isolates shared closely related core single-nucleotide polymorphisms and blaNDM genetic contexts with isolates from backyard animals. Conclusions: To our knowledge, we are the first to report evidence of direct transmission of NDM-EC between humans and animals. Given the rise of NDM-EC in community and hospital infections, combating NDM-EC transmission in backyard farm systems is needed. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP525

Hypoglycemic effect of white (Morus alba L.) and black (Morus nigra L.) mulberry fruits in diabetic rat

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of white (Morus alba L.) and black (Morus nigra L.) mulberry fruits either used individually or in a combination on alloxan diabetic rats. These fruits are reported to be rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolics that can potentially fight against diabetes mellitus. Male albino rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control, alloxan-diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with white mulberry fruit powder at 5% in the diet, diabetic rats treated with black mulberry fruit powder at 5% in the diet and diabetic rats treated with mixture of white and black mulberry fruits powder at 5% in the diet. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood glucose level, liver and kidney enzymes activity, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and histopathological studies on liver, kidney and pancreas were evaluated. The mixture of white and black mulberry fruits showed the most significant (p < 0.05) improvement in feed efficiency ratio with increasing body weight gain, as well as decrease in blood glucose level and liver-kidney dysfunction when compared with diabetic control rats. Significant decrease in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) as well as significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) in diabetic rats was observed with all treatments. Moreover, mulberry fruits administration caused significant inhibition in lipid peroxidation and α-amylase activity. In addition, the beneficial effect of all treatments was further confirmed with histopathological examination of liver, kidney and pancreas. This study reveals hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of white and black mulberry fruits either used individually or in combination as a dietary supplement in alloxan diabetic rats

A novel method for in vivo measurement of dynamic ischiofemoral space based on MRI and motion capture

Purpose: To use a novel in vivo method to simulate a moving hip model. Then, measure the dynamic bone-to-bone distance, and analyze the ischiofemoral space (IFS) of patients diagnosed with ischiofemoral impingement syndrome (IFI) during dynamic activities.Methods: Nine healthy subjects and 9 patients with IFI were recruited to collect MRI images and motion capture data. The motion trail of the hip during motion capture was matched to a personalized 3D hip model reconstructed from MRI images to get a dynamic bone model. This personalized dynamic in vivo method was then used to simulate the bone motion in dynamic activities. Validation was conducted on a 3D-printed sphere by comparing the calculated data using this novel method with the actual measured moving data using motion capture. Moreover, the novel method was used to analyze the in vivo dynamic IFS between healthy subjects and IFI patients during normal and long stride walking.Results: The validation results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) of slide and rotation was 1.42 mm/1.84° and 1.58 mm/2.19°, respectively. During normal walking, the in vivo dynamic IFS was significantly larger in healthy hips (ranged between 15.09 and 50.24 mm) compared with affected hips (between 10.16 and 39.74 mm) in 40.27%–83.81% of the gait cycle (p = 0.027). During long stride walking, the in vivo dynamic IFS was also significantly larger in healthy hips (ranged between 13.02 and 51.99 mm) than affected hips (between 9.63 and 44.22 mm) in 0%–5.85% of the gait cycle (p = 0.049). Additionally, the IFS of normal walking was significantly smaller than long stride walking during 0%–14.05% and 85.07%–100% of the gait cycle (p = 0.033, 0.033) in healthy hips. However, there was no difference between the two methods of walking among the patients.Conclusions: This study established a novel in vivo method to measure the dynamic bone-to-bone distance and was well validated. This method was used to measure the IFS of patients diagnosed with IFI, and the results showed that the IFS of patients is smaller compared with healthy subjects, whether in normal or long stride walking. Meanwhile, IFI eliminated the difference between normal and long stride walking

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of Mycobacterium leprae in highly endemic areas of China during the COVID-19 epidemic

ObjectivesThe present study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and incidence of new leprosy cases, as well as the diversity, distribution, and temporal transmission of Mycobacterium leprae strains at the county level in leprae-endemic provinces in Southwest China.MethodsA total of 219 new leprosy cases during two periods, 2018–2019 and 2020–2021, were compared. We genetically characterized 83 clinical isolates of M. leprae in Guizhou using variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The obtained genetic profiles and cluster consequences of M. leprae were compared between the two periods.ResultsThere was an 18.97% decrease in the number of counties and districts reporting cases. Considering the initial months (January–March) of virus emergence, the number of new cases in 2021 increased by 167% compared to 2020. The number of patients with a delay of &gt;12 months before COVID-19 (63.56%) was significantly higher than that during COVID-19 (48.51%). Eighty-one clinical isolates (97.60%) were positive for all 17 VNTR types, whereas two (2.40%) clinical isolates were positive for 16 VNTR types. The (GTA)9, (TA)18, (TTC)21 and (TA)10 loci showed higher polymorphism than the other loci. The VNTR profile of these clinical isolates generated five clusters, among which the counties where the patients were located were adjacent or relatively close to each other. SNP typing revealed that all clinical isolates possessed the single SNP3K.ConclusionCOVID-19 may have a negative/imbalanced impact on the prevention and control measures of leprosy, which could be a considerable fact for official health departments. Isolates formed clusters among counties in Guizhou, indicating that the transmission chain remained during the epidemic and was less influenced by COVID-19 preventative policies

The ZrO2 Formation in ZrB2/SiC Composite Irradiated by Laser

In order to clearly understand the details of ZrO2 formation during ablation, high intensity continuous laser was chosen to irradiate ZrB2/SiC. The results reveal that there are two different modes of ZrO2 formation depending on whether liquid SiO2 is present. When liquid SiO2 is present, ZrO2 generated by the oxidation of ZrB2 is firstly dissolved into SiO2. Then, ZrO2 will precipitate again, the temperature will decrease and the SiO2 will evaporate. Otherwise, the ZrB2 will be oxidized to ZrO2 directly

Modified pyrolysis experiments and indexes to re-evaluate petroleum expulsion efficiency and productive potential of the Chang 7 shale, Ordos Basin, China

The purpose of this study is to re-evaluate the petroleum expulsion characteristics of the shale in the seventh member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation (abbreviated as Chang 7 shale) in the Ordos Basin. Modified pyrolysis experiments, temperature-based semi-open pyrolysis were conducted in a temperature range between 300 and 420 degrees C, which covers the full range of petroleum generation from early kerogen decomposition to the onset of wet gas cracking. The quantities and compositions of the expelled gas, expelled oil, retained oil and residual rock are comprehensively characterized. The results of experiments and product analysis reveal that the peak oil generation period of the Chang 7 shale is relatively early, whereas the growth of petroleum expulsion efficiency (PEE) within that period is slow. During the oil window, the shale expels substantial amounts of petroleum while also retaining considerable amounts. Base on the compositional variations with increasing thermal maturity, two indexes are proposed: Rock-Eval and extraction-based production index (REPI) and isolation index (ISI). REPI is a function of the compositional characteristics both of the retained oil and the residual generative capacity of the shale. It is capable of differentiating the producible part from hard-to-produce part within oil in place, thus, it is a revision of the traditional production index. ISI reflects the proportion of oil existing in the isolated pores of the residual rocks, therefore indirectly indicating pore connectivity. Both the REPI and ISI curves first increase and then decrease with increasing thermal stress, sharing the same inflection point at the onset of wet gas cracking. Before that point, the production capacity of the shale oil gradually increases, and afterward, the probability for shale gas is increased

Ablation Behavior of a Carbon Fabric Reinforced Phenolic Composite Modified by Surface-Decorated ZrB2/SiC

Carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites were widely used as TPSs (thermal protection system) material in the aerospace industry. However, their limited oxidative ablation resistance restricted their further utility in more serious service conditions. In this study, the surface-decorated ZrB2/SiC and its modified carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites have been successfully prepared. The self-modification mechanism of the surface-decorated ZrB2/SiC particles were characterized. The mechanical performance and ablation behavior of the composites were investigated. Results showed that the ZrB2/SiC particles possessed a good surface-decorated effect, which achieved good compatibility with the phenolic resin. The mechanical performance of the modified phenolic composite was effectively improved. The anti-oxidative ablation performance of the composite was improved. The mass ablation rate of the surface-decorated ZrB2&ndash;SiC-modified carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites was 25% lower than that of the unmodified composites. The formed ZrO2 ceramic layer attached to the surface of the residual chars prevented the heat energy and oxygen from the inner material. Meanwhile, the volatilization of SiO2 and B2O3 effectively increased the heat dissipation. All these results confirmed that the ZrB2&ndash;SiC particles can effectively improve the ablation resistance of the composite, which provided a basis for the application of the composites to more serious service environments

Role of bitumen and NSOs during the decomposition process of a lacustrine Type-II kerogen in semi-open pyrolysis system

The purpose of this work is to investigate the generation characteristics of bitumen, NSO compounds, oil, and HC compounds during the artificial maturation of a lacustrine Type-II kerogen (which has not been given enough attention before) in order to determine its decomposition process. The analysis is based on the data itself, on the premise of jumping out of the generally accepted sequential reaction model. By taking the kerogen of the Chang 7 shale as an example, seven parallel experiments, in the temperature range from 300 degrees C to 420 degrees C were conducted on newly designed temperature-based semi-open pyrolysis system. The overall products are classified into oil and bitumen according to their phase, the C15+ fractions are classified into C(15+)sat, C(15+)aro and NSOs based on chemical compositions, and the NSOs are further classified into n-pentane NSOs and DCM NSOs according to Behar et al., (2008) and (2010). Results show that large proportion of oil is not merely a result of thermal cracking of bitumen, but also directly from the decomposition of kerogen itself. Both C(15+)sat and C(15+)aro are generated as soon as kerogen starts to decompose. It is not until the initial productivity of kerogen is basically exhausted that NSOs become the main precursor of hydrocarbons. The comparison with Behar et al. [2008, organic geochemistry 39, 1-22] further reveals that, for Chang 7 kerogen, initial decomposition of kerogen generates much more HCs than DCM NSOs. These results contradict the sequential reaction model described as: kerogen -> bitumen -> oil or kerogen -> NSOs -> hydrocarbons. Instead, they confirm the "alternate pathway" mechanism proposed by Burnham a al. [ACS symposium, 1989] in which hydrocarbons can be formed immediately from kerogen in parallel with NSOs and the formation of the two species are controlled by bond-breaking reactions that are independent of each other. This study adds geochemical insights into the decomposition mechanism of lacustrine Type-II kerogen