High Resistance Potential Research Articles

Determination of adaptive capabilities of various types, forms and varieties of apple trees based on endophytic and epiphytic microbiota indicators

The aim of the research was to identify the most resistant species, forms and varieties of apple trees based on the developmental specifics of the various types of microbiota. The research was conducted in 2014–2023 at the I. V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center, Michurinsk, Tambov region. The year of planting was 2009 with the planning scheme 6×3 m., the rootstock 54–118. The objects of the research are: Malus robusta species; forms 25–8, 64–143, and 54–118; varieties Korichnoe polosatoe, Orlovim, Iyulskoe Chernenko, and Slava Michurinska. The soil type was leached medium-power black soil with a loamy mechanical composition. Pseudomonas syringae bacteria prevailed in resistant plants: 96.6 % in Malus robusta hybrid apple, 89.3 % in Korichnoe polosatoe variety, and 88.7 % in 25–8 form, which is 9.7 %, 2.4 % and 1.8 % respectively, higher than the average value among the test subjects. In 64–143 form and Slava Michurinska variety, the indicators are lower than the average by 5.5 % and 4.2 % respectively. The yield of mixed microbiota in Malus robusta was not observed (0.0 %). Korichnoe polosatoe variety had an indicator below the average value by 0.7 %, in the form 25–8 by 1.3 %, and in the form 64–143 by 11.4 %, which is 4.5 % higher than the average. The magnitude of negative tests ranged from 3.4 % (Malus robusta) to 6.2 % (Iyulskoe Chernenko), which did not exceed the average value. Samples 64–143, 54–118 and Slava Michurinska had above-average values of 1.0 %, 2.0 % and 4.0 %, respectively. According to the complex of indicators of microbiota yield and the percentage of negative tests, Malus robusta, Korichnoe polosatoe variety and 25–8 form had a high potential for environmental resistance. They were recommended for further breeding for resistance to adverse environmental factors.

Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to prevent healthcare-associated bacterial infections.

SUMMARYHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a burden for public health with a high prevalence and high death rates associated with them. Pathogens with a high potential for antimicrobial resistance, such as ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and Clostridioides difficile, are responsible for most HAIs. Despite the implementation of infection prevention and control intervention, globally, HAIs prevalence is stable and they are mainly due to endogenous pathogens. It is undeniable that complementary to infection prevention and control measures, prophylactic approaches by active or passive immunization are needed. Specific groups at-risk (elderly people, chronic condition as immunocompromised) and also healthcare workers are key targets. Medical procedures and specific interventions are known to be at risk of HAIs, in addition to hospital environmental exposure. Vaccines or monoclonal antibodies can be seen as attractive preventive approaches for HAIs. In this review, we present an overview of the vaccines and monoclonal antibodies in clinical development for prevention of the major bacterial HAIs pathogens. Based on the current state of knowledge, we look at the challenges and future perspectives to improve prevention by these means.

Genomic Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a "One Health" Perspective.

The "One Health" approach provides a comprehensive framework for understanding antimicrobial resistance. This perspective is of particular importance in the study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as it is not only a pathogen that affects humans but also persists in environmental reservoirs. To assess evolutionary selection for niche-specific traits, a genomic comparison of 749 P. aeruginosa strains from three environments (clinical, aquatic, and soil) was performed. The results showed that the environment does indeed exert selective pressure on specific traits. The high percentage of persistent genome, the lack of correlation between phylogeny and origin of the isolate, and the high intrinsic resistance indicate that the species has a high potential for pathogenicity and resistance, regardless of the reservoir. The flexible genome showed an enrichment of metal resistance genes, which could act as a co-selection of antibiotic resistance genes. In the plasmids, resistance genes were found in multigenic clusters, with the presence of a mobile integron being prominent. This integron was identified in several pathogenic strains belonging to distantly related taxa with a worldwide distribution, showing the risk of rapid evolution of resistance. These results provide a more complete understanding of the evolution of P. aeruginosa, which could help develop new prevention strategies.

E. coli Strains in Iraq Show High Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Potential

General Background: Escherichia coli is a widely distributed species that includes strains ranging from highly pathogenic to harmless avirulent isolates, often found in the human gut. Specific Background: E. coli pathogenicity is determined by virulence factors like adhesins, invasins, toxins, and capsules, which are often transferred horizontally via phages and plasmids. Knowledge Gap: Despite advancements in understanding E. coli virulence, there is a need to further understand genetic factors contributing to urinary tract infections, especially in regions with high antibiotic resistance. Aims: The study investigated the prevalence of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance in E. coli strains from UTI patients at Al Hussien Teaching Hospital in Iraq. Results: The study reveals the presence of specific virulence genes in UPEC strains from a specific region, suggesting the potential involvement of the pap AH gene in UTI pathogenesis. Novelty: This study reports the prevalence of specific virulence genes in UPEC strains from a specific region, indicating the potential role of the pap AH gene in UTI pathogenesis. Implications: The study indicates that UPEC strains, characterized by high virulence factors like pap AH, are promising vaccine targets, necessitating further research for effective prevention strategies. Highlights: E. coli strains show high antibiotic resistance in UTI patients. pap AH gene is crucial for UPEC virulence. Virulence factors like pap AH are potential vaccine targets. Keywords: E. coli, UTI, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, pap AH gene

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF THE MCR-1 GENE IN PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA AND ACINETOBACTER BAUMANII STRAINS

Objective: The emergence of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumanii isolates poses serious risks to public health. Our study aimed to investigate the presence of colistin resistance and mcr-1 gene positivity in these isolates. Material and Method: Culture, biochemical tests, antibiotic susceptibility tests, and molecular tests were used to isolate and identify P. aeruginosa and A. baumanii strains. Result and Discussion: A sum of 156 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 89) and Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 67) were obtained using the 550 clinical samples collected in one year from the largest hospital in Van, Turkey. The results of antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that approximately 82.8% of P. aeruginosa and 94.6% of A. baumannii strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Colistin resistance was detected in 11.23% (10/89) of P. aeruginosa isolates and 11.94% (8/67) of A. baumannii isolates using agar dilution and microdilution methods. Out of the 18 colistin-resistant isolates, the mcr-1 gene was detected in three P. aeruginosa and two A. baumannii strains. The detection of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii is of great concern due to the high potential for colistin resistance to spread in clinical settings. Understanding the unique circumstances of worldwide colistin resistance can be facilitated by promoting the creation of quick processes for identifying colistin resistance profiles and putting them into practice in hospital laboratories. Colistin and carbapenem treatment are two effective ways to treat emerging resistant super-microbes and slow down the emergence of resistance.

Correlations between the degree of infection by wild strain of Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and porcine hematological parameters

The apicomplexa Toxoplasma gondii is capable of actively proliferating in numerous types of nucleated cells, and therefore has a high potential for dissemination and resistance. Thus, the present work aimed to correlate the inoculum concentrations and amount of post-infection parasites with porcine hematological parameters (including biochemistry) through in vitro culture. Porcine blood was incubated with different concentrations of parasites (1.2 × 107, 6/3/1.5 × 106 cells/mL), then the concentrations of red blood cells (RBC) and their morphology, total and differential leukocytes, and free peptides were evaluated. In addition, eight different blood samples analyzed before inoculation, where subsequent multivariate analysis was applied to correlate different variables with trophozoite concentration. The results showed no significant variation (p < 0.05) in the relative levels of free peptides, or the relative percentage of RBC at all the parasite concentrations tested. However, the normalized percentages of leukocytes and neutrophils showed a significant reduction, while those of lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes showed the opposite behavior. Semi-automatic processing of images exhibited significant microcytosis and hypochromia. The multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between the amount number of protozoa (AP) and the variables: “Red cells” and “Neutrophils”, an indifference between the AP and the content of free peptides, and the concentration of monocytes in the samples; and a negative correlation for AP and the percentages of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Our results suggest that specific changes in hematological parameters may be associated with different degrees of parasitemia, demanding a thorough diagnostic process and adequate treatment.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of carbapenem resistance and its possible treatment options with focus on clinical Enterobacteriaceae: Thirty years of development in Pakistan

BackgroundCarbapenem resistance is epidemic worldwide, these last resort antimicrobials are listed in the WHO ‘watch group’ with higher resistance potential. During the years 2017-18 Pakistan Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System reported an increase in carbapenem resistance. However, a comprehensive information on prevalence and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem resistance in Pakistan is not available. This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed to report the current carbapenem resistance situation in Pakistan and its treatment options. MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the pooled prevalence (PPr) of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae by organizing available data, from Web of Science and PubMed by April 2, 2020, in various groups and subgroups including species, years, provinces, extended spectrum β-lactamase production, clinical presentation, carbapenemase and metallo-β-lactamase production, and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) prevalence. Literature review was updated for the studies publisehd by December 07, 2023. Moreover, we descriptively reviewed the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae in Pakistan. Lastly, we statistically explored different treatment options available for carbapenem resistant infections. We used R package ‘metafor’ for performing meta-analysis and influence diagnostics and determining treatment options. ResultsFrom two academic databases Web of Science and PubMed we identified 343 studies. Eighty-eight studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Seventy-four studies were selected for phenotypic analysis, 36 for genotypic analysis, and 31 for available treatment options. PPr-ID of 12% [0.12 (0.07, 0.16)] was observed for phenotypic carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae with more prevalence recorded in Klebsiella pneumoniae 24% [0.24 (0.05, 0.44)] followed by 9% [0.09 (−0.03, 0.20)] in Escherichia coli. During the last two decades we observed a striking increase in carbapenem resistance PPr i.e., from 0% [0.00 (−0.02, 0.03)] to 36% [0.36 (0.17, 0.56)]. blaNDM with PPr 15% [0.15 (0.06, 0.23)] in naive isolates was found to be the fundamental genetic determinant for carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in Pakistan. Polymyxin B, colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin were identified as the suggested treatment options available for multidrug resistant infections not responding to carbapenems. Various studies reported carbapenem resistance from human, animal, and environment sources. ConclusionIn conclusion, we found that NDM-1 producing carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae are increasing in Pakistan. Meta-analysis showed that metallo-β-lactamases producing E. coli ST405 and K. pneumoniae sequence type11 are the major resistant clones. Number of reported studies in various subgroups and inconsistency in following CLSI guidelines are the potential limitations of this meta-analysis. A National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance strategy based on One Health is urgently needed to check any future AMR crisis in Pakistan.

Comparative study on the corrosion resistance of Al, AlTiSi and AlTiSiN coated Mg-Gd-Y magnesium alloy

Aluminum rich coatings have been proven to be promising protective coatings in magnesium alloy products due to their high potential and ability to form passive films. This work reports the corrosion resistance of Al, AlTiSi and AlTiSiN coatings synthesized by magnetron sputtering on AZ80M magnesium alloy. The results show that the AlTiSiN coated magnesium alloy exhibits the outstanding corrosion resistance with obviously high polarization resistance (Rp) and corrosion potential (Ecorr), and significantly low corrosion current density (Icorr), due to its greatly compact and directionless structure. The salt spray test confirms that the AlTiSiN coated magnesium alloy has more durable resistance to chloride ion immersion compared to Al and AlTiSi coated magnesium alloy.

Design and Discovery of Compositionally Complex Alloys that Include High Corrosion Resistance

The novel compositionally complex alloy (CCA) design space provides opportunities to improve corrosion resistance through design of passive films based on alloy composition and structure. The passive films are designed for thermodynamic stability as well as to provide corrosion protection by regulating charge transfer and transport processes operative during corrosion as well as by providing self-healing capability. Film protectivity can be obtained from single passivating element formation, passivity “helper” elements, secondary passivators, as well as other second and third element effects. Oxides can form congruently or enrich in certain elements and be depleted in others. The wide range of possible alloying combinations and resultant oxide compositions for a given design space necessitates efficient alloy selection for experimental synthesis and characterization of down-selected choices with high potential for good corrosion resistance. A design process for Al-Co-Cr-Fe-Mn-Mo-Ni-containing CCAs providing testable strategies for effective incorporation of corrosion-influencing elements in the oxide is introduced. Guidelines for elemental selection for protection by passive oxides, compositional optimization, and microstructural refinement are discussed.

Wpływ zasolenia podłoża hodowlanego na wzrost grzybów entomopatogeniczych z rodzajów Beauveria i Metarhizium

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of increasing NaCl concentration (one of the important stress factors for crop plants) on the growth of entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Beauveria and Metarhizium in vitro. The influence of 1, 3, 5 and 15% NaCl con¬centration on the growth of colonies of four selected species of fungi Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium flavoviride was examined in laboratory conditions. Test concentrations were added to Sabouraud’s culture medium (SDA). Colony growth observations were made every 5 days until day 20, measuring the colony diameter in mm. The conducted research showed that the NaCl concentrations used in the experiment had a differential effect on the growth of colonies of the tested species of entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Beauveria and Metarhizium. A slight salinity of the culture medium (1% NaCl concentration), regardless of the date of observation, increased the growth of B. bassiana and B. brongniartii colonies and limited the growth of M. fla¬voviride. On the 20th day of observation, 3% salinity statistically significantly stimulated the growth of the B. bassiana and M. flavoviride strains. A higher concentration of NaCl limited the growth of the tested strains, with M. flavoviride showing the greatest resistance, which may indicate it as a species with a relatively high potential for resistance to salinity. 15% salinity completely inhibited the growth of all entomopathogenic fungi tested.

Exploration of cobalt zinc glycerate microspheres with catalytic activity for antibacterial applications

The overuse of antibiotics has caused rapid increase in the number of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, development of advanced biomaterials with effective antibacterial activity is in great demand. The use of metal ions in combination with organic matter (glycerol) for antibacterial activity is rarely reported. In this letter, we report for the synthesis and exploration of cobalt zinc glycerate (Co-Zn-G) microspheres with catalytic activity for antibacterial applications. The formation process of the Co-Zn-G microspheres is investigated by a solvothermal method. Due to the coordination bonds between metal ions and glycerol ligands, Co-Zn-G microspheres with improved lipophilicity are able to attach to and penetrate the bacterial membranes, resulting in enhanced antibacterial effects. In addition, the prepared Co-Zn-G microspheres have high peroxidase-like activity, which can produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill bacteria. Based on in vitro experiments, Co-Zn-G microspheres show low cytotoxicity and excellent antibacterial effects against bacteria such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, metal glycerate complexes provide new insights for the development of antibacterial agents with high potency and low resistance potential.

The effects of arsenic on dechlorination of trichloroethene by consortium DH: Microbial response and resistance

Inorganic arsenic and organochlorines are frequently co-occurring contaminants in anoxic groundwater environments, and the bioremediation of their composite pollution has long been a rigorous predicament. Currently, the dechlorination behaviors and stress responses of microbial dechlorination consortia to arsenic are not yet fully understood. This study assessed the reductive dechlorination performance of a Dehalococcoides-bearing microcosm DH under gradient concentrations of arsenate [As(V)] or arsenite [As(III)] and investigated the response patterns of different functional microorganisms. Our results demonstrated that although the dechlorination rates declined with increasing arsenic concentrations in both As(III/V) scenarios, the inhibitory impact was more pronounced in As(III)-amended groups compared to As(V)-amended groups. Moreover, the vinyl chloride (VC)-to-ethene step was more susceptible to arsenic exposure compared to the trichloroethene (TCE)-to-dichloroethane (DCE) step, while high levels of arsenic exposure [e.g. As(III) > 75 μM] can induce significant accumulation of VC. Functional gene variations and microbial community analyses revealed that As(III/V) affected reductive dechlorination by directly inhibiting organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) and indirectly inhibiting synergistic populations such as acetogens. Metagenomic results indicated that arsenic metabolic and efflux mechanisms were identical among different Dhc strains, and variations in arsenic uptake pathways were possibly responsible for their differential responses to arsenic exposures. By comparison, fermentative bacteria showed high potential for arsenic resistance due to their inherent advantages in arsenic detoxification and efflux mechanisms. Collectively, our findings expanded the understanding of the response patterns of different functional populations to arsenic stress in the dechlorinating consortium and provided insights into modifying bioremediation strategies at co-contaminated sites for furtherance.

The evaluation of chitosan hydrogel based curcumin effect on DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, MEG3, HOTAIR gene expression in glioblastoma cell line.

Cancer is one of the most important causes of death worldwide. Some types of cancer, including glioblastoma, with a high potential for growth, invasion, and resistance to general treatments, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have a high potential for recurrence. Many chemical drugs have been used to treat it, but herbal drugs are more effective with fewer side effects; Therefore, this research aims to investigate the effect of curcumin-chitosan nano-complex on the expression of MEG3, HOTAIR, DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B genes in the glioblastoma cell line. In this research, glioblastoma cell line, PCR and spectrophotometry techniques, MTT test and transmission, field emission transmission, and fluorescent electron microscopes were used. The morphological examination of the curcumin-chitosan nano-complex was without clumping, and the fluorescent microscope examination showed the nano-complex enters the cell and affects the genes expression. In its bioavailability studies, it was found that it significantly increases the death of cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Gene expression tests showed that this nano-complex increased MEG3 gene expression compared to the control group, which is statistically significant (p < 0.05). It also decreased HOTAIR gene expression compared to the control group, which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). It decreased the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B genes compared to the control group, which is statistically significant (p < 0.05). By using active plant substances such as curcumin, the active demethylation of brain cells can be directed to the path of inhibiting the growth of brain cancer cells and eliminating them.

Combination of Irinotecan and Melatonin with the Natural Compounds Wogonin and Celastrol for Colon Cancer Treatment.

Colorectal cancers are one of the leading cancers worldwide and are known for their high potential for metastasis and resistance to therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various combination therapies of irinotecan with melatonin, wogonin, and celastrol on drug-sensitive colon cancer cells (LOVO cell line) and doxorubicin-resistant colon cancer stem-like cells (LOVO/DX cell subline). Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in the pineal gland and is responsible for circadian rhythm. Wogonin and celastrol are natural compounds previously used in traditional Chinese medicine. Selected substances have immunomodulatory properties and anti-cancer potential. First, MTT and flow cytometric annexin-V apoptosis assays were performed to determine the cytotoxic effect and the induction of apoptosis. Then, the potential to inhibit cell migration was evaluated using a scratch test, and spheroid growth was measured. The results showed important cytotoxic effects of the drug combinations on both LOVO and LOVO/DX cells. All tested substances caused an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in the LOVO cell line and necrotic cells in the LOVO/DX cell subline. The strongest effect on the induction of cancer cell death was observed for the combination of irinotecan with celastrol (1.25 µM) or wogonin (50 µM) and for the combination of melatonin (2000 µM) with celastrol (1.25 µM) or wogonin (50 µM). Statistically significant improvements in the effect of combined therapy were found for the irinotecan (20 µM) and celastrol (1.25 µM) combination and irinotecan (20 µM) with wogonin (25 µM) in LOVO/DX cells. Minor additive effects of combined therapy were observed in LOVO cells. Inhibition of cell migration was seen in LOVO cells for all tested compounds, while only irinotecan (20 µM) and celastrol (1.25 µM) were able to inhibit LOVO/DX cell migration. Compared with single-drug therapy, a statistically significant inhibitory effect on cell migration was found for combinations of melatonin (2000 µM) with wogonin (25 µM) in LOVO/DX cells and irinotecan (5 µM) or melatonin (2000 µM) with wogonin (25 µM) in LOVO cells. Our research shows that adding melatonin, wogonin, or celastrol to standard irinotecan therapy may potentiate the anti-cancer effects of irinotecan alone in colon cancer treatment. Celastrol seems to have the greatest supporting therapy effect, especially for the treatment of aggressive types of colon cancer, by targeting cancer stem-like cells.

Microstructure, mechanical properties, electrical resistivity, and corrosion behavior of (AlCr)x(HfMoNbZr)1-x films

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) have emerged as a new class of materials due to their exceptional properties such as high strength, high-temperature stability, and potential for corrosion resistance. In this study, we investigate the effect of Al and Cr co-alloying on the crystal structure, mechanical properties, electrical resistivity, and corrosion resistance of HfMoNbZr film. (AlCr)x(HfMoNbZr)1-x films were grown using direct current magnetron sputtering, with Al50Cr50 and Hf25Mo25Nb25Zr25 target co-sputtering. Our findings reveal that all films possess a B2-type BCC fine-grained crystallite structure. Moreover, an increase in AlCr content results in an increase in hardness and electrical resistivity, which can be attributed to the stronger directionally angular bonds and higher local lattice distortion caused by Al atoms, as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Additionally, the (AlCr)x(HfMoNbZr)1-x films exhibit excellent corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, as indicated by a corrosion current below 10−8 A/cm2. Remarkably, at PAlCr = 90 W, the current density reaches a minimum value of 4.85 ± 0.43 × 10-9 A/cm2. These results demonstrate the tunable properties of RHEAs through element alloying, which offers promising opportunities for various applications.

Abstract 6563: Glioma stem cell index recapitulates grade, IDH mutation status and correlates with survival of glioma patients

Abstract Adult diffuse gliomas are heterogeneous and the most common primary brain tumors. Gliomas have high tissue invasion, proliferation and therapeutic resistance potential. Although much knowledge has been recently gained regarding glioma biology and evolution, many questions are still open, such as which is the cell of origin, what are its characteristics and how the tumor propagation occurs. The cancer stem cell (CSC) model proposes a population of cells with high self-renew capacity and capable of propagating the tumor with more differentiated cells, generating intratumoral heterogeneity. Based on the CSC model, our work aims to integrate the most advanced techniques available such as scRNAseq and machine learning models to estimate the enrichment of glioma stem cells (GSCs) in tumors, by defining a GSC-Stemness Index (GSCsi). To build the prediction model, we used public scRNA-seq data from glioblastoma (GBM)-enriched GSCs. We used the standard Seurat pipeline for quality control, normalization and downstream analysis. The GSC single cell data was used to train a prediction model using the One Class Logistic Regression (OCLR) algorithm. Several models were tested, including overdispersed genes, differentially expressed genes between GSCs and the whole tumor, GSCs from each patient individually and a model with all GSCs. The prediction models were applied to gene expression data from TCGA, GLASS, and publicly available scRNA-seq data from different glioma subtypes. The model built with all the GSCs and all genes showed the best performance, being able to identify with higher indices grade 4 gliomas and IDHwt in the TCGA and GLASS data. Survival analysis resulted in a hazard ratio greater than 20, indicating a high correlation between increased GSCsi and poor prognosis. By applying the model to scRNA-seq data from gliomas, clusters of high GSCsi were identified. We can partially conclude that the GSCsi obtained with the model is capable of identifying grade 4 gliomas and IDHwt and we are performing analyzes with the genes with the highest correlation (positive and negative) with the GSCsi in the TCGA and GLASS data. The analysis of these genes together with genes differentially expressed in the high GSCsi clusters in scRNA-seq data can elucidate pathways responsible for the therapeutic resistance and propagation of gliomas, in addition to proposing theories about the cell of origin and potential therapeutic targets to improve the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Citation Format: Renan L. Simões, Maycon Marção, Tathiane M. Malta. Glioma stem cell index recapitulates grade, IDH mutation status and correlates with survival of glioma patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6563.

Self-assembled nanostructure of copper hydrogen phosphate with catalytic and antibacterial activity

The rapid development of antibiotic resistance poses a huge threat to human health. Copper-based materials is a promising alternative to the traditional antibiotics due to its high efficacy and low resistance potential for bacterial infections. In this work, three-dimensional flower-like copper hydrogen phosphate nanosheet assembled microspheres (CP-NSMSs) are synthesized through a hydrolysis-assisted synthetic method using fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) as the organic phosphate source. The copper hydrogen phosphate nanosheets with high aspect ratio provide a large amount of sharp edges which could penetrate bacterial membranes, resulting in the death of bacteria. Furthermore, the as-prepared CP-NSMSs exhibit the high peroxidase-like activity producing a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill bacteria. Based on the in vitro bacterial growth experiments, our CP-NSMSs show an excellent sterilization effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the CP-NSMSs synthesized using the FDP as an organic phosphate source is expected to be a promising antibacterial agent with minimum resistance potential.

Integrating Ultrafiltration Membranes with Flocculation and Activated Carbon Pretreatment Processes for Membrane Fouling Mitigation and Metal Ion Removal from Wastewater.

The presence of metal ions in an aqueous medium is an ongoing challenge throughout the world. Processes employed for metal ion removal are developed continuously with the integration of these processes taking center stage. Herein, an integrated system consisting of flocculation, activated carbon (AC), and an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was assessed for the removal of multiple metal ions contained in wastewater generated from a university chemistry research laboratory. The quality of the wastewater was established before and further determined after treatment with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for metal content, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH. Assessing the spent AC indicated minimal structural changes, indicating a potential for further reuse; for instance, the BET for both the pristine and spent AC exhibited type I isotherms with a mesoporous structure, indicating no major structural changes due to metal complexation. The relative performance of the integrated system indicated that the use of flocculation improved the water quality of metal-laden wastewater for safe disposal. The integrated treatment systems exhibited high removal efficiencies between 80 and 99.99% for all the metal ions except for Mn (<0.008 mg L-1) and Cr (<0.016 mg L-1) both at ca. 70%, indicative of the positive influence of the polyelectrolyte in the treatment process. The fabricated UiO-66-NH2@GO membranes (Z4 and Z5) exhibited high fouling resistance and reusability potential as well as relatively high pure water flux. Consequently, the integrated process employed for the treatment of laboratory metal-containing wastewater is promising as a generic approach to improving the quality of metal-containing wastewater to meet the standards of discharging limits in South Africa.

Intestinal Carriage of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Salmonella enterica from Chickens and Poultry Farmers in Dschang, in the Western Region of Cameroon

Salmonella enterica is the principal causative agent of salmonellosis, a threat to human health. Because of its high antimicrobial resistance potential, Salmonella enterica has become worrisome, mostly in developing countries where hygiene and antimicrobial usage are defective. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of the intestinal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase producing Salmonella enterica from chickens and poultry farmers in Dschang, a town in the western region of Cameroon. A total of 416 chickens and 72 farmers were sampled between May and October 2020; and Salmonella enterica were isolated and subjected to extended spectrum β-lactamase screening. Logistic regression was used to test for statistical associations using a p-value of ≤0.05. Results from this study revealed that the prevalence of the intestinal carriage of Salmonella enterica for chickens and farmers were 55.77% [51.00; 60.54] and 22.22% [12.62; 31.82], respectively. Meanwhile, the intestinal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase producing Salmonella enterica was 23.08% [13.76; 32.40] and 5.55% [0.26; 10.84] from chickens and poultry farmers, respectively. The risk factor for this carriage was revealed to be lack of knowledge by actors in livestock industries of antibiotic resistance. Chickens, just like poultry farmers, represent the starting point of community salmonellosis, which is difficult to cure; therefore, sensitization of breeders is an effective tool for the mitigation of this burden.

Application of Nanomaterials in the Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Due to differences in geographic surveillance systems, chemical sanitization practices, and antibiotic stewardship (AS) implementation employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts have expressed concerns regarding a future surge in global antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A potential beneficiary of these differences is the Gram-positive bacteria MRSA. MRSA is a bacterial pathogen with a high potential for mutational resistance, allowing it to engage various AMR mechanisms circumventing conventional antibiotic therapies and the host’s immune response. Coupled with a lack of novel FDA-approved antibiotics reaching the clinic, the onus is on researchers to develop alternative treatment tools to mitigate against an increase in pathogenic resistance. Mitigation strategies can take the form of synthetic or biomimetic nanomaterials/vesicles employed in vaccines, rapid diagnostics, antibiotic delivery, and nanotherapeutics. This review seeks to discuss the current potential of the aforementioned nanomaterials in detecting and treating MRSA.