Phenotypic Detection of Enterobacterales Strains Susceptible of Producing OXA-48 Carbapenemase

Background: Nowadays, emergence of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales (CPE) throughout the world has become a public health problem, especially in countries with limited resources. In recent years, CPE of type OXA-48 (Ambler class D) have been identified in Dakar. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic detection of OXA-48 CPE using a temocillin disc (30 μg). Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out at Medical Biology Laboratory of Pasteur Institute in Dakar on Ertapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (ERE) strains isolated from 2015 to 2017. These strains were then tested with a 30 μg temocillin disc. Any strain resistant to temocillin (inhibition diameter Results: Forty-one ERE isolated during the study period were tested, of which 34 (82.9%) were OXA-48 based on phenotypic detection using temocillin disc and confirmed by PCR (100%). OXA-48 CPE strains detected were composed of Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 14;41.2%), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 8;23.5%), Escherichia coli (n = 7, 20.5%), Citrobacter freundii (n = 3;8.8%), Cronobacter sakazakii (n = 1;3%) and Morganella morganii (n = 1;3%). Conclusion: Temocillin resistance has a good positive predictive value for detecting OXA-48 CPE by phenotypic method, confirmed by PCR. Temocillin is therefore a good marker for detection of OXA-48 CPE except Hafnia alvei.

Phenotypic Characterization and QTL/Gene Identification for Internode Number and Length Related Traits in Maize

Internode number and length are the foundation to constitute plant height, ear height and the above-ground spatial structure of maize plant. In this study, segregating populations were constructed between EHel with extremely low ear height and B73. Through the SNP-based genotyping and phenotypic characterization, 13 QTL distributed on the chromosomes (Chrs) of Chr1, Chr2, Chr5-Chr8 were detected for four traits of internode no. above ear (INa), average internode length above ear (ILaa), internode no. below ear (INb), and average internode length below ear (ILab). Phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by a single QTL ranged from 6.82% (qILab2-2) to 12.99% (qILaa5). Zm00001d016823 within the physical region of qILaa5, the major QTL for ILaa with the largest PVE was determined as the candidate through the genomic annotation and sequence alignment between EHel and B73. Product of Zm00001d016823 was annotated as a WEB family protein homogenous to At1g75720. qRT-PCR assay showed that Zm00001d016823 highly expressed within the tissue of internode, exhibiting statistically higher expression levels among internodes of IN4 to IN7 in EHel than those in B73 (P Zm00001d016823 might provide novel insight into molecular mechanism beyond phytohormones controlling internode development in maize.

Effect of land use on soil nematode community composition and co-occurrence network relationship

Land use influences soil biota community composition and diversity,and then belowground ecosystem processes and functions.To characterize the effect of land use on soil biota,soil nematode communities in crop land,forest land and fallow land were investigated in six regions of northern China.Generic richness,diversity,abundance and biomass of soil nematodes was the lowest in crop land.The richness and diversity of soil nematodes were 28.8and 15.1%higher in fallow land than in crop land,respectively.No significant differences in soil nematode indices were found between forest land and fallow land,but their network keystone genera composition was different.Among the keystone genera,50%of forest land genera were omnivores-predators and 36%of fallow land genera were bacterivores.The proportion of fungivores in forest land was 20.8%lower than in fallow land.The network complexity and the stability were lower in crop land than forest land and fallow land.Soil pH,NH_(4)^(+)-N and NO_(3)^(–)-N were the major factors influencing the soil nematode community in crop land while soil organic carbon and moisture were the major factors in forest land.Soil nematode communities in crop land influenced by artificial management practices were more dependent on the soil environment than communities in forest land and fallow land.Land use induced soil environment variation and altered network relationships by influencing trophic group proportions among keystone nematode genera.

Machine learning prediction model for gray-level co-occurrence matrix features of synchronous liver metastasis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Synchronous liver metastasis(SLM)is a significant contributor to morbidity in colorectal cancer(CRC).There are no effective predictive device integration algorithms to predict adverse SLM events during the diagnosis of CRC.AIM To explore the risk factors for SLM in CRC and construct a visual prediction model based on gray-level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM)features collected from magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).METHODS Our study retrospectively enrolled 392 patients with CRC from Yichang Central People’s Hospital from January 2015 to May 2023.Patients were randomly divided into a training and validation group(3:7).The clinical parameters and GLCM features extracted from MRI were included as candidate variables.The prediction model was constructed using a generalized linear regression model,random forest model(RFM),and artificial neural network model.Receiver operating characteristic curves and decision curves were used to evaluate the prediction model.RESULTS Among the 392 patients,48 had SLM(12.24%).We obtained fourteen GLCM imaging data for variable screening of SLM prediction models.Inverse difference,mean sum,sum entropy,sum variance,sum of squares,energy,and difference variance were listed as candidate variables,and the prediction efficiency(area under the curve)of the subsequent RFM in the training set and internal validation set was 0.917[95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.866-0.968]and 0.09(95%CI:0.858-0.960),respectively.CONCLUSION A predictive model combining GLCM image features with machine learning can predict SLM in CRC.This model can assist clinicians in making timely and personalized clinical decisions.

Mapping of QTLs and candidate genes associated with multiple phenotypic traits for Huanglongbing tolerance in citrus

Huanglongbing(HLB)is the most devastating disease for citrus worldwide.Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus(C Las),vectored by Asian citrus psyllid(ACP,Diaphorina citri Kuwayama),is the most common pathogen causing the disease.Commercial citrus varieties are highly susceptible to HLB,whereas trifoliate orange(Poncirus trifoliata)is considered highly tolerant to HLB.An F1 segregating population and their parent trifoliate orange and sweet orange,which had been exposed to intense HLB pressure for three years,was evaluated for disease symptoms,ACP colonization,C Las titer and tree vigor repeatedly for two to three years.Trifoliate orange and sweet orange showed significant differences for most of the phenotypic traits,and the F1 population exhibited a large variation.A high-density SNP-based genetic map with 1402 markers was constructed for trifoliate orange,which exhibited high synteny and high coverage of its reference genome.A total of 26 quantitative trait locus(QTLs)were identified in four linkage groups LG-t6,LG-t7,LG-t8 and LG-t9,of which four QTL clusters exhibit a clear co-localization of QTLs associated with different traits.Through genome-wide analysis of gene expression in response to C Las infection in‘Flying Dragon’and‘Larger-Flower DPI-50-7’trifoliate orange,85 differentially expressed genes were found located within the QTL clusters.Among them,seven genes were classified as defense or immunity protein which exhibited the highest transcriptional change after C Las infection.Our results indicate a quantitative genetic nature of HLB tolerance and identified candidate genes that should be valuable for searching for genetic solutions to HLB through breeding or genetic engineering.

Inversion tillage with straw incorporation affects the patterns of soil microbial co-occurrence and multi-nutrient cycling in a Hapli-Udic Cambisol

Inversion tillage with straw amendment is widely applied in northeastern China, and it can substantially increase the storage of carbon and improve multiple subsoil functions. Soil microorganisms are believed to be the key to this process,but research into their role in subsoil amelioration is limited. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in 2018 in a region in northeastern China with Hapli-Udic Cambisol using four treatments: conventional tillage(CT, tillage to a depth of 15 cm with no straw incorporation), straw incorporation with conventional tillage(SCT, tillage to a depth of 15 cm),inversion tillage(IT, tillage to a depth of 35 cm) and straw incorporation with inversion tillage(SIT, tillage to a depth of 35 cm). The soils were managed by inversion to a depth of 15 or 35 cm every year after harvest. The results indicated that SIT improved soil multi-nutrient cycling variables and increased the availability of key nutrients such as soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in both the topsoil and subsoil.In contrast to CT and SCT, SIT created a looser microbial network structure but with highly centralized clusters by reducing the topological properties of average connectivity and node number, and by increasing the average path length and the modularity. A Random Forest analysis found that the average path length and the clustering coefficient were the main determinants of soil multi-nutrient cycling. These findings suggested that SIT can be an effective option for improving soil multi-nutrient cycling and the structure of microbial networks, and they provide crucial information about the microbial strategies that drive the decomposition of straw in Hapli-Udic Cambisol.

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae Species Isolated from Smoked, Dried, and Braised Fish Marketed in Ouagadougou

Background: To preserve its nutritional properties, fish must have good sanitary quality. The objective of this study was to investigate some pathogens contaminating smoked, dried, and braised fish marketed in Ouagadougou. Methodology: Potential pathogens of Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus were screened in eight (8) species of processed fish. The investigation of the germs was carried out following the normative methods of microbiology. The identities of the strains were determined by API 20 E (BioMerieux S.A., France) and API STAPH (BioMerieux S.A., France) kits for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus species respectively. The uidA gene profile in Escherichia coli isolates was determined by simplex PCR. The identity of Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed by amplification of specific 23S rDNA regions and nuc gene profile with PCR. Results: A total of 235 fish samples were analyzed. A diversity of Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus was detected. Twenty species of Enterobacteriaceae were identified among which, the most frequent were Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Raoultella ornithinolytica and Serratia odorifera, respectively in 22.6%, 4.3%, 28.9%, 17.4% of the samples analyzed. However, eleven species of Staphylococcus were identified among which, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and Staphylococcus sciuri were the most frequent with respective percentages of 47.7%, 23.4%, 12.8% and 10.6% of samples. For all the samples, the species frequently isolated were: Raoultella ornithinolytica, Escherichia coli, Serratia odorifera, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Staphylococcus lugdunensis. The uidA gene specific to Escherichia coli was detected in 82.85% of strains (29/35). Amplification of the specific 23S rDNA region using staur primers was observed in 98% (49/50) of the isolated Staphylococcus aureus strains and the nuc gene was detected in 86% of Staphylococcus aureus strains. Conclusion: The isolated bacteria are potential pathogens involved in foodborne illnesses and intoxications. Effective sanitary safety systems must be implemented to guarantee the sanitary quality of fish supplied to consumers.

Selective footprints and genes relevant to cold adaptation and other phenotypic traits are unscrambled in the genomes of divergently selected chicken breeds

Background The genomes of worldwide poultry breeds divergently selected for performance and other phenotypic traits may also be affected by,and formed due to,past and current admixture events.Adaptation to diverse environments,including acclimation to harsh climatic conditions,has also left selection footprints in breed genomes.Results Using the Chicken 50K_CobbCons SNP chip,we genotyped four divergently selected breeds:two aboriginal,cold tolerant Ushanka and Orloff Mille Fleur,one egg-type Russian White subjected to artificial selection for cold tolerance,and one meat-type White Cornish.Signals of selective sweeps were determined in the studied breeds using three methods:(1)assessment of runs of homozygosity islands,(2)F_(ST) based population differential analysis,and(3)haplotype differentiation analysis.Genomic regions of true selection signatures were identified by two or more methods or in two or more breeds.In these regions,we detected 540 prioritized candidate genes supplemented them with those that occurred in one breed using one statistic and were suggested in other studies.Amongst them,SOX5,ME3,ZNF536,WWP1,RIPK2,OSGIN2,DECR1,TPO,PPARGC1A,BDNF,MSTN,and beta-keratin genes can be especially mentioned as candidates for cold adaptation.Epigenetic factors may be involved in regulating some of these important genes(e.g.,TPO and BDNF).Conclusion Based on a genome-wide scan,our findings can help dissect the genetic architecture underlying various phenotypic traits in chicken breeds.These include genes representing the sine qua non for adaptation to harsh environments.Cold tolerance in acclimated chicken breeds may be developed following one of few specific gene expression mechanisms or more than one overlapping response known in cold-exposed individuals,and this warrants further investigation.

The first cavefish in the Dinaric Karst?Cave colonization made possible by phenotypic plasticity in Telestes karsticus

Cave animals are an excellent model system for studying adaptive evolution.At present,however,little is known about the mechanisms that enable surface colonizers to survive in the challenging environment of caves.One possibility is that these species have the necessary genetic background to respond with plastic changes to the pressures of underground habitats.To gain insight into this process,we conducted a comparative study with the fish species Telestes karsticus,which occurs in a hydrological system consisting of an interconnected stream and a cave.Results showed that T.karsticus resided year-round and spawned in Sušik cave,making it the first known cavefish in the Dinaric Karst.Cave and surface populations differed in morphological and physiological characteristics,as well as in patterns of gene expression without any evidence of genetic divergence.To test whether observed trait differences were plastic or genetic,we placed adult fish from both populations under light/dark or constant dark conditions.Common laboratory conditions erased all morphometric differences between the two morphs,suggesting phenotypic plasticity is driving the divergence of shape and size in wild fish.Lighter pigmentation and increased fat deposition exhibited by cave individuals were also observed in surface fish kept in the dark in the laboratory.Our study also revealed that specialized cave traits were not solely attributed to developmental plasticity,but also arose from adult responses,including acclimatization.Thus,we conclude that T.karsticus can adapt to cave conditions,with phenotypic plasticity playing an important role in the process of cave colonization.

Leaf phenotypic variation in natural populations of Carpinus tschonoskii in China

Carpinus tschonoskii Maxim.exhibits rich leaf phenotypic variation and various leaf shapes,but few studies show why leaf phenotypic traits have such a large variation.Basic morphological markers may provide guidance for studying plant genetic variation and species protection and utilization.To study leaf phenotypic variations and the relationship between variation characteristics and climatic and geographical factors,phenotypic traits among natural populations were investigated.Results revealed that leaf phenotypes varied significantly among and within populations.Some populations had higher phenotypic diversity,while others had lower phenotypic diversity.Among the phenotypic traits,leaf area and petiole length had the most variation.Leaf index and primary lateral veins were the most stable phenotypes,which may be important reference indexes for phenotype identification in field investigations.There was a strong consistency between leaf phenotypic traits and geographical location.Plants in high latitudes tend to have longer leaves,and plants in low temperatures tend to have longer leaves and larger leaf perimeter.In addition,plants in areas with less rainfall have longer petioles.The 13 populations of C.tschonoskii can be divided into four branches by cluster analysis,and the results show a good relationship with the geographical location of each population.Additionally,some populations geographically isolated also had unique leaf phenotypes.

The role of DNA methylation in the maintenance of phenotypic variation induced by grafting chimerism in Brassica

Grafting facilitates the interaction between heterologous cells with different genomes,resulting in abundant phenotypic variation,which provides opportunities for crop improvement.However,how grafting-induced variation occurs and is transmitted to progeny remains elusive.A graft chimera,especially a periclinal chimera,which has genetically distinct cell layers throughout the plant,is an excellent model to probe the molecular mechanisms of grafting-induced variation maintenance.Here we regenerated a plant from the T-cell layer of a periclinal chimera,TCC(where the apical meristem was artificially divided into three cell layers–from outside to inside,L1,L2,and L3;T=Tuber mustard,C=red Cabbage),named rTTT0(r=regenerated).Compared with the control(rsTTT,s=self-grafted),rTTT0 had multiple phenotypic variations,especially leaf shape variation,which could be maintained in sexual progeny.Transcriptomes were analyzed and 58 phenotypic variation-associated genes were identified.Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analyses revealed that the methylome of rTTT0 was changed,and the CG methylation level was significantly increased by 8.74%.In rTTT0,the coding gene bodies are hypermethylated in the CG context,while their promoter regions are hypomethylated in the non-CG context.DNA methylation changes in the leaf shape variation-associated coding genes,ARF10,IAA20,ROF1,and TPR2,were maintained for five generations of rTTT0.Interestingly,grafting chimerism also affected transcription of the microRNA gene(MIR),among which the DNA methylation levels of the promoters of three MIRs associated with leaf shape variation were changed in rTTT0,and the DNA methylation modification of MIR319 was maintained to the fifth generation of selfed progeny of rTTT0(rTTT5).These findings demonstrate that DNA methylation of coding and non-coding genes plays an important role in heterologous cell interaction-induced variation formation and its transgenerational inheritance.

Temporal characteristics of algae-denitrifying bacteria co-occurrence patterns and denitrifier assembly in epiphytic biofilms on submerged macrophytes in Caohai Lake,SW China

Denitrifying bacteria in epiphytic biofilms play a crucial role in nitrogen cycle in aquatic habitats.However,little is known about the connection between algae and denitrifying bacteria and their assembly processes in epiphytic biofilms.Epiphytic biofilms were collected from submerged macrophytes(Patamogeton lucens and Najas marina L.)in the Caohai Lake,Guizhou,SW China,from July to November 2020 to:(1)investigate the impact of abiotic and biotic variables on denitrifying bacterial communities;(2)investigate the temporal variation of the algae-denitrifying bacteria co-occurrence networks;and(3)determine the contribution of deterministic and stochastic processes to the formation of denitrifying bacterial communities.Abiotic and biotic factors influenced the variation in the denitrifying bacterial community,as shown in the Mantel test.The co-occurrence network analysis unveiled intricate interactions among algae to denitrifying bacteria.Denitrifying bacterial community co-occurrence network complexity(larger average degrees representing stronger network complexity)increased continuously from July to September and decreased in October before increasing in November.The co-occurrence network complexity of the algae and nirS-encoding denitrifying bacteria tended to increase from July to November.The co-occurrence network complexity of the algal and denitrifying bacterial communities was modified by ammonia nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N)and total phosphorus(TP),pH,and water temperature(WT),according to the ordinary least-squares(OLS)model.The modified stochasticity ratio(MST)results reveal that deterministic selection dominated the assembly of denitrifying bacterial communities.The influence of environmental variables to denitrifying bacterial communities,as well as characteristics of algal-bacterial co-occurrence networks and the assembly process of denitrifying bacterial communities,were discovered in epiphytic biofilms in this study.The findings could aid in the appropriate understanding and use of epiphytic biofilms denitrification function,as well as the enhancement of water quality.

Influence of Haptoglobin and Hemoglobin Phenotypic Polymorphisms on Sickle Cell Disease Morbidity

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) has a varied clinical and biological expression depending on the hemoglobin phenotype: SSFA2, SFA2, SAFA2 and SC. Considering the antioxidant properties of the different haptoglobin phenotypes (Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1, Hp 2-2), it seemed relevant to know their influence on the morbidity of the different hemoglobin phenotype of SCD. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify associations between haptoglobin phenotype and morbidity of different SCD phenotypes. Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, with a cohort of 170 black African carriers of hemoglobin S, in Ivory Coast, West Africa, hemoglobin and haptoglobin phenotypes were determined by electrophoretic methods. Results: The three major phenotypes of haptoglobin polymorphism were found in the SCD cohort: Hp 1-1 (24.1%), Hp 2-1 (56.5%), Hp 2-2 (19.4%). Vaso-occlusions were associated with haptoglobin phenotype Hp 1-1, (OR = 2.03;CI95% = [1.06 - 3.9];p Conclusions: Haptoglobin phenotype was associated to morbidity-adjusted hemoglobin phenotype. The study revealed a greater probability of a worse morbidity when the hemoglobin phenotype is homozygous. Unexpectedly, the worse morbidity is associated to Hp 1-1 haptoglobin phenotype, the most powerful antioxidant within the different haptoglobin phenotypes. Associations found were not systematic and need further studies to enlighten the determinism of SCD morbidity.

Environment drives the co-occurrence of bacteria and microeukaryotes in a typical subtropical bay

The co-occurrence of bacteria and microeukaryote species is a ubiquitous ecological phenomenon,but there is limited cross-domain research in aquatic environments.We conducted a network statistical analysis and visualization of microbial cross-domain co-occurrence patterns based on DNA sampling of a typical subtropical bay during four seasons,using high-throughput sequencing of both 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes.First,we found obvious relationships between network stability and network complexity indices.For example,increased cooperation and modularity were found to weaken the stability of cross-domain networks.Secondly,we found that bacterial operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were the most important contributors to network complexity and stability as they occupied more nodes,constituted more keystone OTUs,built more connections,more importantly,ignoring bacteria led to greater variation in network robustness.Gammaproteobacteria,Alphaproteobacteria,Bacteroidetes,and Actinobacteria were the most ecologically important groups.Finally,we found that the environmental drivers most associated with cross-domain networks varied across seasons(in detail,the network in January was primarily constrained by temperature and salinity,the network in April was primarily constrained by depth and temperature,the network in July was mainly affected by depth,temperature,and salinity,depth was the most important factor affecting the network in October)and that environmental influence was stronger on bacteria than on microeukaryotes.

Genetic and Phenotypic Variation of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168 Caused by flhA Mutation during Laboratory Passage

Objective Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168 is commonly used as a standard strain for flagellar biosynthesis research.In this report,two distinguished phenotypic isolates(CJ1Z,flhA mutant strain,lawn;CJ2S,flhA complemented strain,normal colony)appeared during laboratory passages for NCTC11168.Methods Phenotypic assessments,including motility plates,transmission electron microscopy,biofilm formation assay,autoagglutination assay,and genome re-sequencing for these two isolates(CJ1Z,flhA mutant strain;CJ2S,flhA complemented strain)were carried out in this study.Results Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the flagellum was lost in CJ1Z.Phenotypic assessments and genome sequencing of the two isolates were performed in this study.The capacity for biofilm formation,colony auto-agglutination,and isolate motility was reduced in the mutant CJ1Z.Comparative genomic analysis indicated a unique native nucleotide insertion in flhA(nt,2154)that caused the I719Y and I720Y mutations and early truncation in flhA.Conclusion FlhA has been found to influence the expression of flagella in C.jejuni.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study to describe the function of the C-terminal of this protein.

Community composition,co-occurrence,and environmental drivers of bacterioplankton community in surface and 50-m water layers in the subarctic North Pacific

The Western Subarctic Gyre(WSG)is one of the two gyre-systems in the subarctic North Pacific known for high nutrient and low-chlorophyll waters.However,the bacterioplankton in marine water of this area,either in terms of the taxonomic composition or functional structure,remains relatively unexplored.A total of 22 sampling sites from two water layers(surface water,SW and 50-m layer water,FW)were collected in this area.The physiochemical parameters of waters,Synechococcus,and bacterial density,as well as the bacterioplankton community composition and distribution pattern,were analyzed.The nutrient concentrations of DIN,DIP,and DSi,Chl-a concentration,and the average abundance of heterobacteria in FW were higher than those in SW.However,temperature and the average abundance of Synechococcus and pico-eukaryotes were higher in SW.A total of 3269 OTUs were assigned,and 2123OTUs were commonly shared;moreover,similar alpha diversity patterns were observed in both SW and FW.The bacterioplankton community showed significantly obvious correlation with salinity,DIP,DIN,and Chl a in both SW and FW.Proteobacteria,Cyanobacteria,Bacteroidota,Actinobacteriota,and Firmicutes were the main phyla while Synechococcus_CC9902,Psychrobacter,and Sulfitobacter were the dominant genera in each sampling site.Most correlations that happened between the OTUs in the cooccurrence network were positive and inter-module.Higher edges and graph density were found in SW,indicating that more correlations occurred,and the community was more complex in SW.This study provided novel knowledge on the bacterioplankton community structure and the correlation characteristics in WSG.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Antibiotic Resistant Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background: The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries such as Burkina Faso. This study aims to determine phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistant diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) from patients with diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methodology: Microbiological and biochemical analysis were done to detect two hundred and ninety-two (292) strains. The susceptibility of the strains to antibiotics was determined by the agar disc diffusion method. 16-plex-PCR assays were carried out to detect both virulence and resistance genes encoding betalactams, quinolones, phenicols, tetracyclines and virulence gene of DEC. Results: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was detected in 8% (23/292) of patients with diarrhea using the 16-plex-PCR and 39.1% (9/23) of the DEC detected carry at least one resistance gene. Resistance rate in disc diffusion test was 86.96% to tetracycline, 65.23% to cotrimoxazole, 17.4% to nalidixic acid, 17.4% to norfloxacin, 17.4% to ciprofloxacin, 13.04% to ceftriaxone, 13.04% to cefotaxime, 8.7% to gentamicin, 8.7% to Chloramphenicol, 0% to netilmicin. The prevalence of different resistance genes in the studied strains varied from 44.4% to 5.5%. The gene Tet coding for resistance to tetracycline was found in 8 strains (44.4%). The CatA gene coding for resistance to Chloramphenicol was detected in 38.9% of isolates. The qnrS, blaSHV and blaOXA genes were each detected in 5.5% of isolates. No strain hosts the qnrA, qnrB and blaTEM genes. Conclusion: This study identified β-lactams, quinolones, phenicols and tetracyclines resistance genes in DEC isolates from patients with diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. These results indicate the need for a surveillance program to reduce the prevalence of resistance to Enterobacteriaceae strains in hospitals.

Morphometric Traits Differentiation and Phenotypic Diversity of Two Snail Species Ecotypes Archachatina marginata and Achatina fulica in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

This study was conducted from June 2021 to January 2023 to assess the genetic diversity of giant African snails in the western highlands of Cameroon. A total of 652 snails were randomly collected from the wild in three localities in the western highlands (Bafang, Bafoussam, and Santchou). The study revealed significant variations in morphobiometric characteristics both between species and localities. The predominant shell coloration was brownish with yellow zigzag stripes (65%), while the dominant coloration for shell openings was whitish (48%). Regarding foot coloration, both brown with spotted black and black with spotted brown colorations were dominant (29%). The highest recorded live weight of snails (39.33 ± 34) was found in the species Archachatina marginata. In terms of length measurements (in mm), the length of the right and left sides of the shell was higher in the A. fulica species (49.8 ± 19.7 mm and 40.07 ± 18 mm, respectively). Bafang exhibited the highest values for shell length (56 ± 11 mm) and shell width (46.52 ± 11.46 mm). A. fulica recorded the highest shell length (81.5 ± 27 mm), while A. marginata recorded the highest shell width (49.6 ± 12.1 mm), with the highest values observed in A. fulica from fulica having a slightly higher aperture width value (30 ± 10 mm) compared to A. marginata, while A. marginata had the highest value for aperture length measurement (54.5 ± 12 mm). A. fulica also exhibited the highest values for the length from apex to the first whorl and the length from left to right of the first whorl (43.2 ± 18 mm and 39 ± 19.8 mm, respectively). Strong and positive correlations were observed between the live weight of snails and body measurements regardless of species, except for the number of whorls, which showed very weak or negative correlations with other body measurements. The results of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) revealed three distinct snail population types. These findings provide valuable insights into the phenotypic diversity of edible land snails in the western highlands of Cameroon and can be considered in improvement and conservation programs aimed at enhancing snail meat yield.

New Interpretation of Neonatal Outcomes by Phenotypically Classified Preterm Syndrome:A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:The global aim to lower preterm birth rates has been hampered by the insufficient and incomplete understanding of its etiology,classification,and diagnosis.This study was designed to evaluate the association of phenotypically classified preterm syndromes with neonatal outcomes;to what extent would these outcomes be modified after the obstetric interventions,including use of glucocorticoid,magnesium sulfate,and progesterone.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at Tongji Hospital(composed of Main Branch,Optical Valley Branch and Sino-French New City Branch)in Wuhan.A total of 900 pregnant women and 1064 neonates were retrospectively enrolled.The outcomes were the distribution of different phenotypes among parturition signs and pathway to delivery,the association of phenotypically classified clusters with short-term unfavorable neonatal outcomes,and to what extent these outcomes could be modified by obstetric interventions.Results:Eight clusters were identified using two-step cluster analysis,including premature rupture of fetal membranes(PPROM)phenotype,abnormal amniotic fluid(AF)phenotype,placenta previa phenotype,mixed condition phenotype,fetal distress phenotype,preeclampsia-eclampsia&hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes,and low platelets syndrome(PE-E&HELLP)phenotype,multiple fetus phenotype,and no main condition phenotype.Except for no main condition phenotype,the other phenotypes were associated with one or more complications,which conforms to the clinical practice.Compared with no main condition phenotype,some phenotypes were significantly associated with short-term adverse neonatal outcomes.Abnormal AF phenotype,mixed condition phenotype,PE-E&HELLP phenotype,and multiple fetus phenotype were risk factors for neonatal small-for gestation age(SGA);placenta previa phenotype was not associated with adverse outcomes except low APGAR score being 0-7 at one min;mixed condition phenotype was associated with low APGAR scores,SGA,mechanical ventilation,and gradeⅢ-Ⅳintraventricular hemorrhage(IVH);fetal distress phenotype was frequently associated with neonatal SGA and mechanical ventilation;PE-E&HELLP phenotype was correlated with low APGAR score being 0-7 at one min,SGA and neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)admission;multiple fetus phenotype was not a risk factor for the outcomes included except for SGA.Not all neonates benefited from obstetric interventions included in this study.Conclusion:Our research disclosed the independent risk of different preterm phenotypes for adverse pregnancy outcomes.This study is devoted to putting forward the paradigm of classifying preterm birth phenotypically,with the ultimate purpose of defining preterm phenotypes based on multi-center studies and diving into the underlying mechanisms.

Is intraspecific trait differentiation in Parthenium hysterophorus a consequence of hereditary factors and/or phenotypic plasticity?

Of the various strategies adopted by an invasive plant species for expanding its niche breadth,phenotypic differentiation(either due to plasticity and/or adaptive evolution) is proven to be the most successful.Lately,we studied the persistence of substantial morpho-functional variations within the individuals of alien invasive plant,Parthenium hysterophorus in Chandigarh,India,through field surveys.Based on observed differences,the individuals were categorized into two morphotypes,PAand PB.PAhad higher leaf area,leaf biomass,and chlorophyll content as compared with PB.However,PBhad a higher stem circumference,stem specific density,twig dry matter content,profuse branching,bigger canopy,and better reproductive output than PA.To substantiate the persistence of intraspecific variations in P. hysterophorus and to deduce the possible genesis of these variations,we propagated both the morphotypes under experimental conditions in winter and summer.Apart from the key morpho-functional differences observed during the field studies,protein and carbohydrate metabolism were studied in leaves and roots of the propagated plants.Differences in plant metabolism were observed only during the early growth period,whereas the morpho-functional traits varied in the mature flowering plants.The effect of growth season was highly significant on all the studied morpho-functional and biochemical parameters(p ≤0.05).Parent morphotypes(P) and interactions between morphotypes and seasons significantly affected several growth parameters(p ≤0.05).The analyses revealed that the contrasting growth conditions at the time of transplantation and early growth may regulate the phenotype of P. hysterophorus.The pattern of intraspecific variations observed during the study is justified to consider morphotype PAas winter biotype and morphotype PBas summer biotype of P. hysterophorus.The study points towards the role of plasticity or a combination of genetic and environmental(G×E) factors in producing the phenotypic variability observed in the population of P. hysterophorus.