Unveiling the impact:COVID-19's influence on bacterial resistance in the Kingdom of Bahrain

BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat,and understanding local trends in bacterial isolates and their susceptibility patterns is crucial for effective infection control and antimicrobial stewardship.The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has introduced additional complexities,potentially influencing these patterns.AIM To analyze trends in bacterial isolates and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns at Salmaniya Medical Complex from 2018 to 2023,with a specific focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these trends.METHODS A retrospective analysis of microbiological data was conducted,covering the period from 2018 to 2023.The study included key bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli(E.coli),Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Staphylococcus aureus,among others.The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of these isolates were assessed using standard laboratory methods.To contextualize the findings,the findings were compared with similar studies from other regions,including China,India,Romania,Saudi Arabia,the United Arab Emirates,Malaysia,and United States.RESULTS The study revealed fluctuating trends in the prevalence of bacterial isolates,with notable changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.For example,a significant increase in the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was observed during the pandemic years,while the prevalence of E.coli showed a more variable pattern.Antibiotic resistance rates varied among the different pathogens,with a concerning rise in resistance to commonly used antibiotics,particularly among Klebsiella pneumoniae and E.coli.Additionally,the study identified an alarming increase in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant(MDR)strains,especially within Klebsiella pneumoniae and E.coli isolates.The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these trends was evident,with shifts in the frequency,resistance patterns,and the emergence of MDR bacteria among several key pathogens.CONCLUSION This study highlights the dynamic nature of bacterial isolates and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns at Salmaniya Medical Complex,particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.The findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and effective anti-microbial stewardship programs to combat the evolving threat of antibiotic resistance.Further research and policy initiatives are required to address the identified challenges and improve patient outcomes in the face of these ongoing challenges.

Current concepts and future strategies in the antimicrobial therapy of emerging Gram-positive spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP) is the most common infection in end-stage liver disease patients.SBP is defined as an ascitic fluid infection with a polymorphonuclear leucocyte count ≥ 250/mm^3 without an evident intra-abdominal surgically treatable source.Several mechanisms contribute to SBP occurrence,including translocation of gut bacteria and their products,reduced intestinal motility provoking bacterial overgrowth,alteration of the gut's barrier function and local immune responses.Historically,Gram-negative enteric bacteria have been the main causative agents of SBP,thereby guiding the empirical therapeutic choice.However,over the last decade,a worryingly increasing prevalence of Gram-positive and multi-drug resistant(MDR) SBP has been seen.Recently,the microbiological spectrum of SBP seems to have changed in Europe due to a high prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria(48%-62%).The overall proportion of MDR bacteria is up to 22%-73% of cases.Consequently,empirical therapy based on thirdgeneration cephalosporins or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid,can no longer be considered the standard of care,as these drugs are associated with poor outcomes.Theaim of this review is to describe,with an epidemiological focus,the evidence behind this rise in Gram-positive and MDR SBP from 2000 to present,and illustrate potential targeted therapeutic strategies.An appropriate treatment protocol should include daptomycin plus ceftaroline and meropenem,with prompt stepdown to a narrower spectrum when cultures and sensitivity data are available in order to reduce both cost and potential antibiotic resistance development.

Analysis of Gram-positive bacterial infection in patients following liver transplantation

Background Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver failure, however infection after transplantation is a serious clinical complication. The purpose of this research was to investigate the molecular epidemiology and the influence of multidrug-resistant Gram-positive infection in patients, following liver transplantation, to provide reference for clinical treatment and prevention of Gram-positive bacterial infection. Methods We isolated and detected bacteria from phlegm, throat swabs, urine, wound or wound secretions, blood, and fecal samples from 221 liver transplant patients in our hospital from January 2007 to April 2010. All isolated bacterial strains were identified and tested by minimal inhibitory concentration （MIC） drug-sensitive detection using the BioMerieux ATB bacterial identification instrument and repetitive extragenic palindromic-polymerase chain reaction （REP-PCR） detection of bacterial homology. Risk factors were calculated by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results We collected 250 specimens from 221 patients hospitalized following liver transplantation surgery, of which 29 patients developed multiple infections. Sixty-five Gram-positive bacterial strains were isolated from different specimens from 53 infectious patients. We detected 29 multidrug-resistant Gram-positive strains from 29 patients （44.62%）, including 20 Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） strains （68.97%） and nine Enterococcus strains （31.03%）. All 20 S. aureus strains were highly resistant to aminoglycosides （gentamicin）, cephalosporins （cefoxitin）, quinolones （ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin）, lincomycins （clindamycin）, penicillin, and erythromycin. The resistance rate reached 100% in some cases. The S. aureus strains were highly sensitive to vancomycin and oxazolidinone （linezolid）, with MIC50 〈2 pg/ml for both. The nine Enterococci strains were also highly resistant to aminoglycosides, quinolones, and penicillins, and highly sensitive to vancomycin （MIC50 〈2 pg/ml） and oxazolidinone （MIC50 〈1 pg/ml）. Using REP-PCR detection, S. aureus was divided into five genotypes with 14 B-type strains. Enterococcus was divided into 11 genotypes, with two D-type strains, two G-type strains, and two K-type strains. The risk factors for Gram-positive bacterial infection in patients following liver transplantation were preoperative use of antibiotics （OR=3.949, P=-0.004）, high intra-operative blood input （OR=1.071, P=0.005）, and postoperative renal failure （OR=5.427, P=-0.043）. Conclusions S. aureus and Enterococcus were the main pathogens causing infection following liver transplantation in patients with drug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial infection. The isolated strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics. B-type S. aureus strains were predominant. Reasonable use of antibiotics, decreasing intra-operative blood input, and preventing post-operative renal failure may reduce Gram-positive bacterial infections and the appearance of drug-resistant strains following liver transplantation.

Benfang Lei's research on heme acquisition in Gram-positive pathogens and bacterial pathogenesis

Benfang Lei's laboratory conducts research on pathogenesis of human pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS)and horse pathogen Streptococcus equi(S.equi). His current research focuses on heme acquisition in Gram-positive pathogens and molecular mechanism of GAS and S.equi pathogenesis.Heme is an important source of essential iron for bacterial pathogens.Benfang Lei and colleagues identified the first cell surface heme-binding protein in Gram-positive pathogens and the heme acquisition system in GAS,demonstrated direct heme transfer from one protein to another,demonstrated an experimental pathway of heme acquisition by the Staphylococcus aureus Isd system,elucidated the activated heme transfer mechanism,and obtained evidence for a chemical mechanism of direct axial ligand displacement during the Shp-to-HtsA heme transfer reaction.These findings have considerably contributed to the progress that has been made over recent years in understanding the heme acquisition process in Grampositive pathogens.Pathogenesis of GAS is mediated by an abundance of extracellular proteins,and pathogenic role and functional mechanism are not known for many of these virulence factors.Lei laboratory identified a secreted protein of GAS as a CovRS-regulated virulence factor that is a protective antigen and is critical for GAS spreading in the skin and systemic dissemination.These studies may lead to development of novel strategies to prevent and treat GAS infections.

Gram-Positive Bacteria Associated with Rice in China and Their Antagonists Against the Pathogens of Sheath Blight and Bakanae Disease in Rice

It is necessary to understand the bacterial populations associated with rice so as to provide more information and natural resources for effective management of major diseases in rice. A survey on screening and identification of gram-positive bacteria was conducted during 1998 2004. Seven hundred and fifty-six rice samples were collected from Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian and Yunnan Provinces, China. Over 1000 bacterial isolates were isolated and tested for colony morphology, pathogenicity, and some characteristics of bacteriology including Gram staining, fluorescent pigment on Kings medium B and microscopic observation for endospore. Together with five standard reference strains, 74 representative gram-positive bacterial isolates were confirmed by Biolog and gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters. Five bacterial species of Bacillus and other three genera were identified and isolates from Bacillus sublitis and Bacillus megaterium, exhibited the most effective inhibition against the pathogens of sheath blight and bakanae disease of rice. A few isolates from Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus megaterium showed weak virulent on rice together with some virulent isolates, risk should be considered when isolates from these species were screened for biocontrol agents.

Systematic analysis and functional verification of citrus glutathione S-transferases reveals that CsGSTF1 and CsGSTU18contribute negatively to citrus bacterial canker

Citrus bacterial canker(CBC) is resulted from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri(Xcc) infection and poses a significant threat to citrus production.Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs) are critical in maintaining redox homeostasis in plants, especially in relation to abiotic and biotic stress responses. However, the function of GSTs in resisting CBC remains unclear. Here, citrus glutathione S-transferases were investigated applying a genome-wide approach. In total, 69 CsGSTs belonging to seven classes were identified, and the phylogeny, chromosomal distribution, gene structures and conserved motifs were analyzed. Several CsGSTs responded to Xcc infection, as observed in the upregulation of CsGSTF1 and CsGSTU18 in the CBC-sensitive ‘Wanjincheng' variety but not in the resistant ‘Kumquat' variety. CsGSTF1 and CsGSTU18 were localized at the cytoplasm. Transient overexpression of CsGSTF1 and CsGSTU18 mediated reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavenging, whereas the virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS) of CsGSTF1 and CsGSTU18 caused strong CBC resistance and ROS burst. The present study investigated the characterization of citrus GST gene family, and discovered that CsGSTF1 and CsGSTU18 negatively contributed to CBC through modulating ROS homeostasis. These findings emphasize the significance of GSTs in infection resistance in plants.

Effects of water tables and nitrogen application on soil bacterial community diversity, network structure, and function in an alpine wetland, China

Nitrogen deposition and water tables are important factors to control soil microbial community structure.However,the specific effects and mechanisms of nitrogen deposition and water tables coupling on bacterial diversity,abundance,and community structure in arid alpine wetlands remain unclear.The nitrogen deposition(0,10,and 20 kg N/(hm^(2)•a))experiments were conducted in the Bayinbulak alpine wetland with different water tables(perennial flooding,seasonal waterlogging,and perennial drying).The 16S rRNA(ribosomal ribonucleic acid)gene sequencing technology was employed to analyze the changes in bacterial community diversity,network structure,and function in the soil.Results indicated that bacterial diversity was the highest under seasonal waterlogging condition.However,nitrogen deposition only affected the bacterial Chao1 and beta diversity indices under seasonal waterlogging condition.The abundance of bacterial communities under different water tables showed significant differences at the phylum and genus levels.The dominant phylum,Proteobacteria,was sensitive to soil moisture and its abundance decreased with decreasing water tables.Although nitrogen deposition led to changes in bacterial abundance,such changes were small compared with the effects of water tables.Nitrogen deposition with 10 kg N/(hm^(2)•a)decreased bacterial edge number,average path length,and robustness.However,perennial flooding and drying conditions could simply resist environmental changes caused by 20 kg N/(hm^(2)•a)nitrogen deposition and their network structure remain unchanged.The sulfur cycle function was dominant under perennial flooding condition,and carbon and nitrogen cycle functions were dominant under seasonal waterlogging and perennial drying conditions.Nitrogen application increased the potential function of part of nitrogen cycle and decreased the potential function of sulfur cycle in bacterial community.In summary,composition of bacterial community in the arid alpine wetland was determined by water tables,and diversity of bacterial community was inhibited by a lower water table.Effect of nitrogen deposition on bacterial community structure and function depended on water tables.

Bacterial Cellulose/Zwitterionic Dual-network Porous Gel Polymer Electrolytes with High Ionic Conductivity

Bacterial cellulose(BC)was innovatively combined with zwitterionic copolymer acrylamide and sulfobetaine methacrylic acid ester[P(AM-co-SBMA)]to build a dual-network porous structure gel polymer electrolytes(GPEs)with high ionic conductivity.The dual network structure BC/P(AM-co-SBMA)gels were formed by a simple one-step polymerization method.The results show that ionic conductivity of BC/P(AM-co-SBMA)GPEs at the room temperature are 3.2×10^(-2) S/cm@1 M H_(2)SO_(4),4.5×10^(-2) S/cm@4 M KOH,and 3.6×10^(-2) S/cm@1 M NaCl,respectively.Using active carbon(AC)as the electrodes,BC/P(AM-co-SBMA)GPEs as both separator and electrolyte matrix,and 4 M KOH as the electrolyte,a symmetric solid supercapacitors(SSC)(AC-GPE-KOH)was assembled and testified.The specific capacitance of AC electrode is 173 F/g and remains 95.0%of the initial value after 5000 cycles and 86.2%after 10,000 cycles.

Response of Bacterial Community and Enzyme Activity of Greenhouse Tomato under Different Irrigation Systems

The micro-sprinkler irrigation mulched(MSM)has been suggested as a novel water-saving approach in con-trolled environment agriculture.However,the effects of microbial community structure and enzyme activity in the rhizosphere soil on crop growth under MSM remain unclear.This study conducted a randomized experimen-tal design using greenhouse tomatoes to investigate changes in bacterial community structure and enzyme activity in rhizosphere soil under different irrigation frequencies(F)and amounts(I)of MSM.Thefindings revealed that with the increase of F or I,The total count of soil bacteria in tomatoesfirst rose and then fell in terms of Opera-tional Taxonomic Units(OTUs)classification.Compared to other F,the most abundance of nitrogen and phos-phorus metabolism genes and enzyme activities were observed with a 5-day F.Moreover,the diversity of soil bacterial community structure initially rose before eventually declining with the increase of the I.Applying 1.00 Epan(cumulative evaporation of a 20 cm standard pan)under MSM helped boost the abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism functional genes in soil bacteria,ensuring higher enzyme activities related to nitro-gen,carbon,and phosphorus metabolism in the rhizosphere soil of tomatoes.Tomatoes’yield initially rose before eventually declining with the increase in F or I,whereas I had a more significant effect on yield.A 1.00%increase in I yielded a minimum of 39.24%increase in tomato yield.The study showed a positive correlation between soil bacterial community,soil enzyme activity,and greenhouse tomato yield under MSM.Considering the results comprehensively,the combined irrigation mode of F of 5 d and I of 1.00 Epan was recommended for greenhouse tomatoes under MSM.This conclusion provides theoretical support for water-saving practices and yield improve-ment in facility agriculture,especially tomato cultivation.

Sensitivity of diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is higher with the automated cell count method

BACKGROUND Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP)is one of the most important complications of patients with liver cirrhosis entailing high morbidity and mortality.Making an accurate early diagnosis of this infection is key in the outcome of these patients.The current definition of SBP is based on studies performed more than 40 years ago using a manual technique to count the number of polymorphs in ascitic fluid(AF).There is a lack of data comparing the traditional cell count method with a current automated cell counter.Moreover,current international guidelines do not mention the type of cell count method to be employed and around half of the centers still rely on the traditional manual method.AIM To compare the accuracy of polymorph count on AF to diagnose SBP between the traditional manual cell count method and a modern automated cell counter against SBP cases fulfilling gold standard criteria:Positive AF culture and signs/symptoms of peritonitis.METHODS Retrospective analysis including two cohorts:Cross-sectional(cohort 1)and case-control(cohort 2),of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ascites.Both cell count methods were conducted simultaneously.Positive SBP cases had a pathogenic bacteria isolated on AF and signs/symptoms of peritonitis.RESULTS A total of 137 cases with 5 positive-SBP,and 85 cases with 33 positive-SBP were included in cohort 1 and 2,respectively.Positive-SBP cases had worse liver function in both cohorts.The automated method showed higher sensitivity than the manual cell count:80%vs 52%,P=0.02,in cohort 2.Both methods showed very good specificity(>95%).The best cutoff using the automated cell counter was polymorph≥0.2 cells×10^(9)/L(equivalent to 200 cells/mm^(3))in AF as it has the higher sensitivity keeping a good specificity.CONCLUSION The automated cell count method should be preferred over the manual method to diagnose SBP because of its higher sensitivity.SBP definition,using the automated method,as polymorph cell count≥0.2 cells×10^(9)/L in AF would need to be considered in patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis.

Oxygen vacancy boosting Fenton reaction in bone scaffold towards fighting bacterial infection

Bacterial infection is a major issue after artificial bone transplantation due to the absence of antibacterial function of bone scaffold,which seriously causes the transplant failure and even amputation in severe cases.In this study,oxygen vacancy(OV)defects Fe-doped Ti O2(OV-FeTiO2)nanoparticles were synthesized by nano TiO2and Fe3O4via high-energy ball milling,which was then incorporated into polycaprolactone/polyglycolic acid(PCLGA)biodegradable polymer matrix to construct composite bone scaffold with good antibacterial activities by selective laser sintering.The results indicated that OV defects were introduced into the core/shell-structured OV-FeTiO2nanoparticles through multiple welding and breaking during the high-energy ball milling,which facilitated the adsorption of hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)in the bacterial infection microenvironment at the bone transplant site.The accumulated H2O2could amplify the Fenton reaction efficiency to induce more hydroxyl radicals(·OH),thereby resulting in more bacterial deaths through·OH-mediated oxidative damage.This antibacterial strategy had more effective broad-spectrum antibacterial properties against Gram-negative Escherichia coli(E.coli)and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus).In addition,the PCLGA/OV-FeTiO2scaffold possessed mechanical properties that match those of human cancellous bone and good biocompatibility including cell attachment,proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.

Improving treatment plan and mental health in children with abdominal infection for broad-spectrum bacterial infections

BACKGROUND Pediatric abdominal infection is a common but serious disease that requires timely and effective treatment.In surgical treatment,accurate diagnosis and rational application of antibiotics are the keys to improving treatment effects.AIM To investigate the effect of broad-spectrum bacterial detection on postoperative antibiotic therapy.METHODS A total of 100 children with abdominal infection who received surgical treatment in our hospital from September 2020 to July 2021 were grouped.The observation group collected blood samples upon admission and sent them for broad-spectrum bacterial infection nucleic acid testing,and collected pus or exudate during the operation for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing;the control group only sent bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing during the operation.RESULTS White blood cell count,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,3 days after surgery,showed better postoperative index than the control group(P<0.05).The hospital stay in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group.The hospitalization cost in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Early detection of broad-spectrum bacterial infection nucleic acids in pediatric abdominal infections can help identify pathogens sooner and guide the appropriate use of antibiotics,improving treatment outcomes and reducing medical costs to some extent.

OsWRKY65 enhances immunity against fungal and bacterial pathogens in rice

Diverse bacterial and fungal pathogens attack plants,causing biotic stress and severe yield losses globally.These losses are expected to become more serious as climate change improves conditions for many pathogens.Therefore,identifying genes conferring broad-spectrum disease resistance and elucidating their underlying mechanisms provides important resources for plant breeding.WRKY transcription factors affect plant growth and stress responses.However,the functions of many WRKY proteins remain to be elucidated.Here,we demonstrated the role of rice(Oryza sativa)WRKY groupⅢtranscription factor OsWRKY65 in immunity.OsWRKY65 localized to the nucleus and acted as transcriptional repressor.Genetic and molecular functional analyses showed that OsWRKY65 increases resistance to the fungal pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi through downregulation of GA signaling and upregulation of JA signaling.Moreover,OsWRKY65 modulated the expression of the key genes that confer susceptibility or resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae to enhance immunity against the pathogen.In particular,OsWRKY65directly bound to the promoter region of OsSWEET13 and repressed its expression.Taken together,our findings demonstrate that the OsWRKY65 enhances resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens in rice.

Bacterial communities and enzyme activities during litter decomposition of Elymus nutans leaf on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The dominant plant litter plays a crucial role in carbon(C)and nutrients cycling as well as ecosystem functions maintenance on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP).The impact of litter decomposition of dominant plants on edaphic parameters and grassland productivity has been extensively studied,while its decomposition processes and relevant mechanisms in this area remain poorly understood.We conducted a three-year litter decomposition experiment in the Gansu Gannan Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station,an alpine meadow ecosystem on the QTP,to investigate changes in litter enzyme activities and bacterial and fungal communities,and clarify how these critical factors regulated the decomposition of dominant plant Elymus nutans(E.nutans)litter.The results showed that cellulose and hemicellulose,which accounted for 95%of the initial lignocellulose content,were the main components in E.nutans litter decomposition.The litter enzyme activities ofβ-1,4-glucosidase(BG),β-1,4-xylosidase(BX),andβ-D-cellobiosidase(CBH)decreased with decomposition while acid phosphatase,leucine aminopeptidase,and phenol oxidase increased with decomposition.We found that both litter bacterial and fungal communities changed significantly with decomposition.Furthermore,bacterial communities shifted from copiotrophic-dominated to oligotrophic-dominated in the late stage of litter decomposition.Partial least squares path model revealed that the decomposition of E.nutans litter was mainly driven by bacterial communities and their secreted enzymes.Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria were important producers of enzymes BG,BX,and CBH,and their relative abundances were tightly positively related to the content of cellulose and hemicellulose,indicating that Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria are the main bacterial taxa of the decomposition of E.nutans litter.In conclusion,this study demonstrates that bacterial communities are the main driving forces behind the decomposition of E.nutans litter,highlighting the vital roles of bacterial communities in affecting the ecosystem functions of the QTP by regulating dominant plant litter decomposition.

Identification of Mulberry Bacterial Blight Caused by Klebsiella oxytoca in Bazhong,Sichuan,China

To provide a scientific basis for controlling mulberry bacterial blight in Bazhong,Sichuan,China(BSC),this study aimed to isolate and purify pathogenic bacteria from diseased branches of mulberry trees in the region and to clarify their taxonomic status using morphological observation,physiological and biochemical detection,molecular-level identification,and the construction of a phylogenetic tree.A total of 218 bacterial strains were isolated from samples of diseased mulberry branches.Of these,7 strains were identified as pathogenic bacteria based on pathogenicity tests conducted in accordance with Koch’s postulates.Preliminary findings from the analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence indicated that the 7 pathogenic bacteria are members of Klebsiella spp.Morphological observation revealed that the pathogenic bacteria were oval-shaped and had capsules but no spores.They could secrete pectinase,cellulase,and protease and were able to utilize D-glucose,D-mannose,D-maltose,and D-Cellobiose.The 7 strains of pathogenic bacteria exhibited the highest homology with Klebsiella oxytoca.This study identifies Klebsiella oxytoca as the causative agent of mulberry bacterial blight in BSC,laying the foundation for the prevention and control of this pathogen and further investigation into its pathogenic mechanism.

Numerical Analysis of Bacterial Meningitis Stochastic Delayed Epidemic Model through Computational Methods

Based on theWorld Health Organization(WHO),Meningitis is a severe infection of the meninges,the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.It is a devastating disease and remains a significant public health challenge.This study investigates a bacterial meningitis model through deterministic and stochastic versions.Four-compartment population dynamics explain the concept,particularly the susceptible population,carrier,infected,and recovered.The model predicts the nonnegative equilibrium points and reproduction number,i.e.,the Meningitis-Free Equilibrium(MFE),and Meningitis-Existing Equilibrium(MEE).For the stochastic version of the existing deterministicmodel,the twomethodologies studied are transition probabilities and non-parametric perturbations.Also,positivity,boundedness,extinction,and disease persistence are studiedrigorouslywiththe helpofwell-known theorems.Standard and nonstandard techniques such as EulerMaruyama,stochastic Euler,stochastic Runge Kutta,and stochastic nonstandard finite difference in the sense of delay have been presented for computational analysis of the stochastic model.Unfortunately,standard methods fail to restore the biological properties of the model,so the stochastic nonstandard finite difference approximation is offered as an efficient,low-cost,and independent of time step size.In addition,the convergence,local,and global stability around the equilibria of the nonstandard computational method is studied by assuming the perturbation effect is zero.The simulations and comparison of the methods are presented to support the theoretical results and for the best visualization of results.

Immune response to inactivated bacterial vector carrying the recombinant K39 antigen of Leishmania infantum in mice

Objective:To evaluate the immunological response elicited by an inactivated bacterial vector carrying the K39 antigen of Leishmania infantum,and a purified antigen.Methods:Mice were subjected to the following treatments:(1)Purified recombinant K39(rK39)protein at a 20μg dose with complete Freund’s adjuvant;(2)Inactivated Escherichia coli(BL21 DE3)carrying the K39 protein at an equivalent total protein content of 200μg;(3)Inactivated bacteria lacking the K39 protein;(4)Non-immunized control animals.Serological monitoring was performed.All groups were challenged by intraperitoneal injection of 10^(7) Leishmania infantum promastigotes.After euthanasia,the liver and spleen were collected to analyze the levels of TNF,IFN-γ,IL-12,IL-4,and IL-10.Results:Mice immunized with purified rK39 or the inactivated bacterial vector carrying the K39 antigen of Leishmania infantum showed a long-lasting immune response with high levels of polyclonal antibodies specifically recognizing the recombinant proteins.The IgG1 subclass was the predominant immunoglobulin;however,the induction of IgG2a and the profile of cytokines produced were indicative of the induction of a mixed-type response.Conclusions:The inactivated bacterial vector carrying the K39 antigen,as well as the purified antigen can induce a long-lasting immune response in immunized mice,predominantly favouring a Th2 profile response.

Carboxylic bacterial cellulose fiber-based hydrogel electrolyte with imidazole-type ionic liquid for dendrite-free zinc metal batteries

Aqueous zinc metal batteries are regarded as the most promising energy storage system due to their advantages of high safety,low cost,and high theoretical capacity.However,the growth of dendrites and the occurrence of side reactions hinder the development of zinc metal batteries.Despite previous attempts to design advanced hydrogel electrolytes,achieving high mechanical performance and ionic conductivity of hydrogel electrolytes has remained challenging.In this work,a hydrogel electrolyte with an ionic crosslinked network is prepared by carboxylic bacterial cellulose fiber and imidazole-type ionic liquid,following by a covalent network of polyacrylamide.The hydrogel electrolyte possesses a superior ionic conductivity of 43.76 mS cm^(−1),leading to a Zn^(2+)migration number of 0.45,and high mechanical performance with an elastic modulus of 3.48 GPa and an elongation at breaking of 38.36%.More importantly,under the anion-coordination effect of the carboxyl group in bacterial cellulose and[BF4]−in imidazole-type ionic liquid,the solvation sheath of hydrated Zn^(2+)ions and the nucleation overpotential of Zn plating are regulated.The results of cycled testing show that the growth of zinc dendrites is effectively inhibited and the generation of irreversible by-products is reduced.With the carboxylic bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel electrolyte,the Zn||Zn symmetric batteries offer good cyclability as well as Zn||Ti batteries.

A comparative study for petroleum removal capacities of the bacterial consortia entrapped in sodium alginate,sodium alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol),and bushnell haas agar

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the degradation efficiencies of free and entrapped bacterial consortia(Staphylococcus capitis CP053957.1 and Achromobacter marplatensis MT078618.1)to different polymers such as Sodium Alginate(SA),Sodium Alginate/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)(SA/PVA),and Bushnell Haas Agar(BHA).In addition to SA and SA/PVA,which are cost-effective,non-toxic and have different functional groups,BHA,which is frequently encountered in laboratory-scale studies but has not been used as an entrapment material until now.Based on these,the polymers with different surface morphologies and chemical compositions were analyzed by SEM and FT-IR.While the petroleum removal efficiency was higher with the entrapped bacterial consortia than with the free one,BHA-entrapped bacterial consortium enhanced the petroleum removal more than SA and SA/PVA.Accordingly,the degradation rate of bacterial consortia entrapped with BHA was 2.039 day^(-1),SA/PVA was 1.560,SA was 0.993,the half-life period of BHA-entrapped bacterial consortia is quite low(t_(1/2)=0.339)compared with SA(t_(1/2)=0.444)and SA/PVA(t_(1/2)=0.697).The effects of the four main factors such as:amount of BHA(0.5,1,1.5,2,2.5,3 g),disc size(4,5,6,7,8 mm),inoculum concentration(1,2.5,5,7.5,10 mL),and incubation period on petroleum removal were also investigated.The maximum petroleum removal(94.5%)was obtained at≥2.5 mL of bacterial consortium entrapped in 2 g BHA with a 7 mm disc size at 168 h and the results were also confirmed by statistical analysis.Although a decrease was observed during the reuse of bacterial consortium entrapped in BHA,the petroleum removal was still above 50%at 10th cycle.Based on GC-MS analysis,the removal capacity of BHA-entrapped consortium was over 90%for short-chain n-alkanes and 80%for medium-chain n-alkanes.Overall,the obtained data are expected to provide a potential guideline in cleaning up the large-scale oil pollution in the future.Since there has been no similar study investigating petroleum removal with the bacterial consortia entrapped with BHA,this novel entrapment material can potentially be used in the treatment of petroleum pollution in advanced remediation studies.

Effect of Six Bacterial Strains on the Activity of Second Instar Larvae and Egg Hatching of Meloidogyne incognita

[Objectives]The paper was to screen effective biocontrol strains against Meloidogyne incognita.[Methods]The effect of six bacterial strains sourced from the research group s strain library on the activity of second instar larvae of M.incognita,as well as on egg hatching,was evaluated.[Results]The treatment of fermentation supernatant derived from the X-2 strain exhibited a pronounced lethal effect on M.incognita,with a corrected mortality rate reaching 97%within 72 h.Additionally,this treatment significantly inhibited egg hatching,achieving an inhibition rate of 94.69%at a 20-fold dilution.The strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis,belonging to the genus Bacillus,and was designated as RKN1111.[Conclusions]This study presents alternative strains and a theoretical framework for the biological control of M.incognita.