Transmission Ability Research Articles

Porcine deltacoronavirus nucleocapsid protein antagonizes JAK-STAT signaling pathway by targeting STAT1 through KPNA2 degradation.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an enteric pathogenic coronavirus that causes acute and severe watery diarrhea in piglets and has the ability of cross-species transmission, posing a great threat to swine production and public health. The interferon (IFN)-mediated signal transduction represents an important component of virus-host interactions and plays an essential role in regulating viral infection. Previous studies have suggested that multifunctional viral proteins encoded by coronaviruses antagonize the production of IFN via various means. However, the function of these viral proteins in regulating IFN-mediated signaling pathways is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that PDCoV and its encoded nucleocapsid (N) protein antagonize type I IFN-mediated JAK-STAT signaling pathway. We identified that PDCoV infection stimulated but delayed the production of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). In addition, PDCoV inhibited JAK-STAT signal transduction by targeting the nuclear translocation of STAT1 and ISGF3 formation. Further evidence showed that PDCoV N is the essential protein involved in the inhibition of type I IFN signaling by targeting STAT1 nuclear translocation via its C-terminal domain. Mechanistically, PDCoV N targets STAT1 by interacting with it and subsequently inhibiting its nuclear translocation. Furthermore, PDCoV N inhibits STAT1 nuclear translocation by specifically targeting KPNA2 degradation through the lysosomal pathway, thereby inhibiting the activation of downstream sensors in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Taken together, our results reveal a novel mechanism by which PDCoV N interferes with the host antiviral response.IMPORTANCEPorcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a novel enteropathogenic coronavirus that receives increased attention and seriously threatens the pig industry and public health. Understanding the underlying mechanism of PDCoV evading the host defense during infection is essential for developing targeted drugs and effective vaccines against PDCoV. This study demonstrated that PDCoV and its encoded nucleocapsid (N) protein antagonize type I interferon signaling by targeting STAT1, which is a crucial signal sensor in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Further experiments suggested that PDCoV N-mediated inhibition of the STAT1 nuclear translocation involves the degradation of KPNA2, and the lysosome plays a role in KPNA2 degradation. This study provides new insights into the regulation of PDCoV N in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and reveals a novel mechanism by which PDCoV evades the host antiviral response. The novel findings may guide us to discover new therapeutic targets and develop live attenuated vaccines for PDCoV infection.

Development of a Recombinase-Aided Amplification Assay for the Rapid Detection of Candida auris.

Candida auris (C. auris) was first discovered in Japan in 2009 and has since spread worldwide. It exhibits strong transmission ability, high multidrug resistance, blood infectivity, and mortality rates. Traditional diagnostic techniques for C. auris have shortcomings, leading to difficulty in its timely diagnosis and identification. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnostic assays for clinical samples are crucial. We developed a novel, rapid recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay targeting the 18S rRNA, ITS1, 5.8S rRNA, ITS2, and 28S rRNA genes for C. auris identification. This assay can rapidly amplify DNA at 39 °C in 20 min. The analytical sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. From 241 clinical samples collected from pediatric inpatients, none were detected as C. auris-positive. We then prepared simulated clinical samples by adding 10-fold serial dilutions of C. auris into the samples to test the RAA assay's efficacy and compared it with that of real-time PCR. The assay demonstrated an analytical sensitivity of 10 copies/μL and an analytical specificity of 100%. The lower detection limit of the RAA assay for simulated clinical samples was 101 CFU/mL, which was better than that of real-time PCR (102-103 CFU/mL), demonstrating that the RAA assay may have a better detection efficacy for clinical samples. In summary, the RAA assay has high sensitivity, specificity, and detection efficacy. This assay is a potential new method for detecting C. auris, with simple reaction condition requirements, thus helping to manage C. auris epidemics.

Characterization of Salmonella Phage P1-CTX and the Potential Mechanism Underlying the Acquisition of the blaCTX-M-27 Gene.

The P1 phage has garnered attention as a carrier of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Enterobacteriaceae. However, the transferability of ARGs by P1-like phages carrying ARGs, in addition to the mechanism underlying ARG acquisition, remain largely unknown. In this study, we elucidated the biological characteristics, the induction and transmission abilities, and the acquisition mechanism of the blaCTX-M-27 gene in the P1 phage. The P1-CTX phage exhibited distinct lytic plaques and possessed a complete head and tail structure. Additionally, the P1-CTX phage was induced successfully under various conditions, including UV exposure, heat treatment at 42 °C, and subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics. Moreover, the P1-CTX phage could mobilize the blaCTX-M-27 gene into three strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the following seven different serotypes of Salmonella: Rissen, Derby, Kentucky, Typhimurium, Cerro, Senftenberg, and Muenster. The mechanism underlying ARG acquisition by the P1-CTX phage involved Tn1721 transposition-mediated movement of blaCTX-M-27 into the ref and mat genes within its genome. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the dynamic processes of ARG acquisition by a phage. Furthermore, this study enriches the research on the mechanism underlying the phage acquisition of drug resistance genes and provides a basis for determining the risk of drug resistance during phage transmission.

Analysis of Phase Mismatch for Mercurous Bromide-Based Non-Collinear AOTF Design in Spectral Imaging Applications.

The spectral and spatial characteristics of Acousto-Optic Tunable Filters (AOTFs), such as a tuning curve, spectral resolution, angular aperture, and diffraction efficiency, are determined by the device's acousto-optic crystal configuration and piezoelectric transducer. For high-throughput spectral imaging applications, it is essential to enlarge the spectral bandwidth and angular aperture during the design phase of AOTFs. Thus, phase mismatch due to incident angle or wavelength was studied analytically using phase diagrams in this paper. Additionally, a performance parameter analysis model was established based on the use of mercurous bromide crystals for large angular aperture AOTF device design, and the impact of crystal and transducer design parameters on the spectral bandwidth and angular aperture was evaluated. This also experimentally validates the diffraction capability of AOTFs made from mercurous bromide crystal, which possess a broad spectral transmission ability ranging from visible to long-wave infrared.

In-situ solid-state deformation-driven rapid reaction towards higher strength-ductility Al-CuO composites

The strength-ductility dilemma of metallic matrix composites is mainly attributed to the mismatched phase/matrix interfaces, which induce stress concentration as dislocation piles up. Here, coherent nano-Al2O3 phases were in-situ formed in Al-CuO composites via rapid diffusion of neoteric deformation-driven metallurgy. The complex dislocation configuration was also promoted to induce the formation of about 14.5 % incoherent twin boundaries. The mean free path for dislocation movements was expanded, as dislocations could cut through the coherent nano-Al2O3 phases and interact with the incoherent twin boundaries without piled-up dislocations. The yield strength and elongation of the strength-ductility synergy Al-5CuO composites were 201 ± 14 MPa and 16.1 ± 0.5 %, indicating that in-situ Al2O3-Al coherent interface and incoherent twin boundaries exert remarkable ability of dislocation transmission.

Functional meniscus reconstruction with biological and biomechanical heterogeneities through topological self-induction of stem cells

Meniscus injury is one of the most common sports injuries within the knee joint, which is also a crucial pathogenic factor for osteoarthritis (OA). The current meniscus substitution products are far from able to restore meniscal biofunctions due to the inability to reconstruct the gradient heterogeneity of natural meniscus from biological and biomechanical perspectives. Here, inspired by the topology self-induced effect and native meniscus microstructure, we present an innovative tissue-engineered meniscus (TEM) with a unique gradient-sized diamond-pored microstructure (GSDP-TEM) through dual-stage temperature control 3D-printing system based on the mechanical/biocompatibility compatible high Mw poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Biologically, the unique gradient microtopology allows the seeded mesenchymal stem cells with spatially heterogeneous differentiation, triggering gradient transition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) from the inside out. Biomechanically, GSDP-TEM presents excellent circumferential tensile modulus and load transmission ability similar to the natural meniscus. After implantation in rabbit knee, GSDP-TEM induces the regeneration of biomimetic heterogeneous neomeniscus and efficiently alleviates joint degeneration. This study provides an innovative strategy for functional meniscus reconstruction. Topological self-induced cell differentiation and biomechanical property also provides a simple and effective solution for other complex heterogeneous structure reconstructions in the human body and possesses high clinical translational potential.

MACHINE LEARNING APPLICATION IN INVERSE DESIGN OF FEW-MODE FIBERS

The importance of optical fiber research is increasing due to its applications in the digital world, including components, sensors, and high data rate communication. Few-mode fiber (FMF) research is regenerating due to its high data rate transmission ability. This dissertation work proposes new designs of FMFs with updated material composition and geometry to establish weakly coupled spatial division multiplexing (SDM)/mode division multiplexing (MDM) links. The next generation of communication, 5G aims to connect people and things via intelligent networks, but current network architectures struggle to handle massive data traffic. The spatial domain of the fiber is highly useful for handling this massive data traffic. This work reviews the requirements of 5G networks and how they can be handled through spatial multiplexing and mode multiplexing through a few-mode optical fiber. The article demonstrates machine learning-based inverse modeling of the triangular-ring-core few-mode fiber profile with weak coupling optimization.

Evaluating Compressive Sensing on the Security of Computer Vision Systems

The rising demand for utilizing fine-grained data in deep-learning (DL) based intelligent systems presents challenges for the collection and transmission abilities of real-world devices. Deep compressive sensing, which employs deep learning algorithms to compress signals at the sensing stage and reconstruct them with high quality at the receiving stage, provides a state-of-the-art solution for the problem of large-scale fine-grained data. However, recent works have proven that fatal security flaws exist in current deep learning methods and such instability is universal for DL-based image reconstruction methods. In this paper, we assess the security risks introduced by deep compressive sensing in the widely-used computer vision system in the face of adversarial example attacks and poisoning attacks. To implement the security inspection in an unbiased and complete manner, we develop a comprehensive methodology and a set of evaluation metrics to manage all potential combinations of attack methods, datasets (application scenarios), categories of deep compressive sensing models, and image classifiers. The results demonstrate that deep compressive sensing models unknown to adversaries can protect the computer vision system from adversarial example attacks and poisoning attacks, whereas the ones exposed to adversaries can cause the system to become more vulnerable.

An artificial immune system‐based algorithm for selfish node detection in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs)

AbstractThe Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) depending on dynamic distributed topology presents several challenges such as decentralized infrastructure. In MANET, each node act as a host as well as a router to exchange packet. From Source to destination, the MANET nodes offer the ability of transmission to send, receive, and route traffic. Moreover, the presence of selfish nodes or malicious nodes in MANETs significantly degrades network performance. Identifying and isolating such nodes poses a formidable challenge. Consequently, this research introduces a security model founded on the principles of an Artificial Immune System (AIS) to detect and defend against Selfish Node (SN) attacks. This research work employs the principles of AIS to categorize a node's behavioral state based on the Mature Context Immune Antigen Rate (MCIAR). Subsequently, a hybrid protocol named Reliable History‐dependent Resource Conscious Clustered and Defensive AODV (RRCC‐DAODV) is introduced to detect Selfish Nodes (SNs) and counteract their attacks. Within the RRCC algorithm, the identification of selfish nodes relies on both Trust Value (TV) and Residual Energy (RE). Additionally, the proposed DAODV protocol incorporates the V‐detector algorithm to enhance defense mechanisms against potential attacks. The simulation of the proposed model is carried out in NS3. The proposed mechanism achieves a detection ratio of 94.05%. The simulation outcomes demonstrate the excellence of the implemented system. This superiority is observed when compared to other standard protocols, as indicated by the parameters of throughput, residual energy, packet delivery ratio, and delay.

Large-Scale Data Processing and Machine Learning Analysis Model Based on Distributed Algorithm

The model of large-scale data processing and ML(machine learning) analysis based on DA(distributed algorithm) is a powerful computing method, which aims at processing huge data sets and performing efficient ML analysis. In this paper, a cluster topology driver module based on gradient switching and aggregate communication is designed, and its core goal is to adapt the distributed system to various underlying network topologies. By designing decentralized gradient exchange algorithm and aggregate communication framework, the parallel transmission ability of multi-interface network can be fully exerted, thus improving the model synchronization efficiency of ML task. The experimental results show that the cluster topology driver module can provide better performance than the existing methods in terms of training convergence, cluster scalability and communication overhead. Large-scale data processing and ML analysis model based on DA is widely used in processing massive data and realizing complex analysis tasks.

Design and preparation of sandwich structured Si3N4 ceramics for broadband microwave transmission

To develop high-temperature structural materials with broadband microwave transmission ability used for high-speed aircraft radome, a sandwich-structured silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic consisting of porous core and dense shell is designed based on CST simulation, which helps to obtain the optimized structural and dielectric properties. After that, its near-net-shape preparation strategy is presented by a controllable combined process including gel-casting (GC), polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The mechanical and electromagnetic performances were studied. The results show that the optimally-structured sandwich Si3N4 processes a flexural strength of 216.5 MPa and a microwave transmissivity of 80 % in 2–13.4 GHz, which are obviously higher than that of traditional Si3N4 ceramics. Besides, this sandwich-structured Si3N4 ceramics also shows excellent dielectric and mechanical stabilities after a high-temperature oxidization at 1600 °C for 2 h in air atmosphere. Our prepared Si3N4 ceramics achieves excellent mechanical strength, high microwave transmissivity, and good high temperature stability, indicating a great application potential as high-speed aircraft radome materials.

Identifying key players in complex networks via network entanglement

Empirical networks exhibit significant heterogeneity in node connections, resulting in a few vertices playing critical roles in various scenarios, including decision-making, viral marketing, and population immunization. Thus, identifying key vertices is a fundamental research problem in Network Science. In this paper, we introduce vertex entanglement (VE), an entanglement-based metric capable of quantifying the perturbations caused by individual vertices on spectral entropy, residing at the intersection of quantum information and network science. Our analytical analysis reveals that VE is closely related to network robustness and information transmission ability. As an application, VE offers an approach to the challenging problem of optimal network dismantling, and empirical experiments demonstrate its superiority over state-of-the-art algorithms. Furthermore, VE also contributes to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with significant distinctions in hub disruption indices based on VE between ASD and typical controls, promising a diagnostic role for VE in ASD assessment.

In Silico Assessment for Risk of Possible Human Transmission of FCoV‐23

Since the pandemic in 2019, coronaviruses (CoVs) have been a great concern for public health burden. The fact that CoVs can infect all animals including domestic ones and livestock points to a future pandemic even though interaction between human and wildlife animals is restricted. Moreover, interspecies transmission abilities of CoVs by mutations make them drastically risky not only for humans but also for animal health. Recently, a new CoV outbreak in cats in Cyprus, the so‐called FCoV‐23, has been realized. In addition to worries over animal health, any possible transmission to humans is now controversial. However, there have been limited characterization studies on FCoV‐23. Thus, we aimed to assess the possible transmission of FCoV‐23 to humans using in silico prediction tools. Accordingly, we first checked the binding affinities of receptor binding domain (RBD) of FCoV‐23 against feline target protein and its human homolog. Next, we randomly and rationally created mutations on the RBD sequence and evaluated the binding affinities using protein docking tools. Our results underlined that multiple mutations at the same time were needed for increased binding affinity towards human target protein, demonstrating that the probability of transmission to humans was extremely low when mutation rates were regarded. Still, further molecular studies are required to comprehensively conclude the possible transmission risk.

Regional Sensitivity Analysis for Maximum Static Transfer Capability of Power Systems by Dimension-Adaptive Sparse Grid Interpolation

The maximum static transfer capability (MSTC) can be regarded as a measure of the power transmission ability of power systems in steady-state operation. These emerging uncertainty sources pose a difficult challenge for the efficient analysis and effective control of MSTC. To address this challenge, the dimension-adaptive sparse grid interpolation (DASGI) method is applied with modified boundaries of the collocation points to establish a surrogate model for the faster calculation of the MSTC based on AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF), thus accelerating its probabilistic analysis as well. Subsequently, the regional sensitivity analysis (RSA) is introduced in terms of contribution to the sample mean (CSM) and to the sample variance (CSV) to identify the critical regions of the uncertainty sources. Hence, an adjustment strategy is developed to increase the mean or decrease the variance of MSTC for secure and stable power transmission. Furthermore, the total CSM (TCSM) and total CSV (TCSV) are proposed as indicators to select the most influential random inputs as the preliminary step of RSA, which reduces the analytical burden. The effectiveness of this proposition is illustrated on the modified IEEE 118-bus system and the Polish 2383-bus power system, where the Monte Carlo simulation method, in combination with the AC-OPF-based MSTC model, provides an accuracy reference and a traditional sensitivity index provides the term for comparison.

Gens PSD-95 and GSK-3β expression improved by hair follicular stem cells-conditioned medium enhances synaptic transmission and cognitive abilities in the rat model of vascular dementia.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a common type of dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanism of conditioned medium (CM) in VaD. The rats were divided into four groups of control (n=9), sham-operation (n=10), VaD with vehicle (n=9), and VaD with CM (n=12) that received CM on days 4, 14, and 24 after 2VO. Before sacrificing the rats, cognitive performance was assessed through the open-field (OP), passive-avoidance, and Morris-water maze. The field-potential recording was used to investigate basal synaptic transmission (BST) and long-term potentiation (LTP). Subsequently, the hippocampus was dissected, and real-time PCR was used to quantify the expression levels of β1-catenin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), and NR2B genes. The results indicated impaired performance in behavioral tests in 2VO rats, coupled with reductions in BST and LTP induction. The expression levels of β1-catenin, IGF-1, PSD-95, and TGF-β genes decreased, whereas NR2B and GSK-3β expression increased. Treatment with CM restores the expression of PSD-95 and GSK-3β as well as fear-memory, spatial learning, and grooming number without a positive effect on memory retrieval, time spent on the periphery and center of OP. The BST recovered upon administration of CM but, the LTP induction was still impaired. The recovery of BST in VaD rats appears to be the most important outcome of this study which is caused by the improvement of gene expression and leads to the restoration of fear memory.

The Russian family as a guardian and translator of traditional national values

Introduction. The article analyzes the advantages of the family in the formation and intergenerational continuity of basic national values and the gradual, step-by-step development of their youth. The article uses the experience of assessing traditional values by students of Nizhny Novgorod schools during family-patriotic contests, as well as the results of the author's sociological research among schoolchildren on the degree of their commitment to Russian values.Materials and Methods. The authors of the article relied on the analysis of primary and secondary sociological data. In general, general scientific research methods were applied (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparative historical and dialectical methods).Results. The successful implementation of the intergenerational transmission of values by the family was negatively affected by the cardinal transformations of Russian society in the 90s of the XX century. The attempt to revise the basic Russian traditional values in favor of liberalization through familiarization with the Western way of life (imposing the priority of values on the psychology of mass consumption society) of the majority of Russians led to a deepening of the crisis state of the institution of the family and society as a whole. Meanwhile, the Russian family, possessing a number of qualities (one of which is a sense of healthy conservatism), was able to preserve the best practices of broadcasting intergenerational values. However, the thoughtless policy of the reformers of the "Yeltsin's hard times" did not pass by without a trace. The analysis of secondary and primary sociological data has shown that many traditional Russian spiritual and moral values are insufficiently formed. Let's denote two "pain points":1. The negative attitude of the majority of young men (59.6%) to the statement that "Conscription is an obligatory stage in life for every man is extremely alarming." There is a crisis of fatherhood as the main element in the functioning of the mechanism of intergenerational transmission of values. 2. The popularity of so-called "alternative" forms of family structure among young people is alarming. An analysis of the data on gender identity revealed discrepancies that draw attention to themselves. Thus, boys (71.8%) are more confident that "A family is a union of a man and a woman, and not Parents No. 1 and No. 2" than girls (53.6%). This is an occasion for further research and explanation of the reason for the greater commitment of young men to traditional family values than girls.Discussion and Conclusions. Theoretical and methodological analysis of the state of modern Russian society and the family has shown that the actualization of public attention on traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, their legislative consolidation in various decrees and by-laws and their practical implementation has a positive effect on the system of education of younger youth in general. The results of the author's sociological research indicate, for the most part, the formation of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values in the youth consciousness. Thus, it can be argued that Russian society has not lost the ability of intergenerational transmission of basic Russian values, its mental and cultural code.

Dependence of the oxygen release intensity from red cells on the degree of their clustering in sludges

An efficiency of oxygen release from red cells strongly depends on the regimes of their motion through microvessels. Mathematical model of oxygen transfer taking into account the red cells ability to form intravascular sludges has been constructed and studied. An analytical expression for the dependence of the oxygen release intensity on the size of erythrocyte sludges were derived. The possible significance of the obtained results for the express diagnostics of the red cell’s ability for an oxygen transmission is discussed.

Average capacity and ABER for perfect optical vortex system in weakly to strongly turbulent oceans

Based on the modified Rytov method, the reception probability spectrum, average bit error rate (ABER), and average channel capacity of the perfect optical vortex (POV) optical system using quadrantal amplitude modulation (QAM) are derived by introducing the mutual coherence function of POV in weak to strong turbulent seawater. The relationship between eddy topological charge, seawater turbulence characteristic parameters, optical system performance parameters, reception probability spectrum the bit error rate, and the average capacity of the POV optical system is numerically analyzed. The following important results are obtained: in long-distance turbulent seawater, the conclusion that the radius of bright ring POV remains almost constant in short-distance standing water and running water is still valid. 4-QAM is more suitable for signal modulation of the POV system in moderate to strong turbulent seawater. The increase of the vortex ring will lead to the increase of the crosstalk degree between vortex modes and the bit error rate of the POV system. Medium to strong turbulence changes the properties that the transmission ability of POV vortex signal mode in non-turbulent media is independent of the topological charge of the vortex. The transmission performance of vortex signals of the POV optical system can be improved by choosing a smaller half-beamwidth of signal, a higher ring radius to the half-beamwidth ratio of the signal, a lower topological charge of vortex mode, a longer signal wavelength, and higher SNR of the optical system.

The length of the 3′ UTR of the tomato torrado virus (ToTV) RNA1 affects virus accumulation in Solanum lycopersicum during mechanical passages from plant to plant

AbstractTomato torrado virus (ToTV), a member of the Torradovirus genus, primarily infects tomatoes. Previous analyses revealed high heterogeneity in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of RNA1 of isolate ToTV‐Kra. In addition to the full‐length 3′ UTR RNA1 (a wild‐type, wt), four truncated versions (var2, var3, var4 and var5) were identified. Here, we investigated the biological importance of this phenomenon by assessing whether such defective genomes are infectious individually, and how the length of the 3′ UTR influences disease symptoms, virus transmission and viral RNA accumulation. Using the ToTVpJL‐Kra infectious clone, we introduced deletions corresponding to the known RNA1 defective variants and examined their impact on ToTV virulence and sap transmission ability. Viral RNA accumulation was assessed in agroinfiltrated tomatoes, as well as during serial passages. We found that all defective genomes were infectious and the length of the 3′ UTR of RNA1 influenced viral RNA accumulation. Tomatoes agroinfiltrated with var2, var3 or var5 showed the highest copy numbers of genomic RNAs. However, during serial passages, ToTVpJL‐Kra‐var1 and ‐var2 (six nucleotides shorter) showed limited sap transmission ability compared to the other variants, which persisted and replicated well in tomatoes. Plants treated with ToTVpJL‐Kra‐var3, ‐var4 and a mixture of var1–var5 showed the highest viral RNA accumulation, which was not associated with increased symptom severity in comparison to the other variants. Additionally, we identified a further sequence insertion in the 3′ UTR of var3 RNA1. This insertion could have occurred spontaneously or as a result of virus adaptation to the mode of transmission.

Clostridioides difficile spores tolerate disinfection with sodium hypochlorite disinfectant and remain viable within surgical scrubs and gown fabrics.

Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea globally. Its spores have been implicated in the prevalence of C. difficile infection due to their resistance and transmission ability between surfaces. Currently, disinfectants such as chlorine-releasing agents (CRAs) and hydrogen peroxide are used to decontaminate and reduce the incidence of infections in clinical environments. Our previous research demonstrated the ability of C. difficile spores to survive exposure to recommended concentrations of sodium dichloroisocyanurate in liquid form and within personal protective fabrics such as surgical gowns; however, the present study examined the spore response to clinical in-use concentrations of sodium hypochlorite. Spores were exposed to a 10 min contact time of 1000, 5000 and 10 000 p.p.m. sodium hypochlorite, and spore recovery was determined. To understand whether biocide-exposed spores transmitted across clinical surfaces in vitro, biocide-exposed spores were spiked onto surgical scrubs and patient gowns and recovery was determined by a plate transfer assay. Scanning electron microscopy was used to establish if there were any morphological changes to the outer spore coat. The results revealed that viable biocide-exposed C. difficile spores can be recovered from surgical scrubs and patient gowns, with no observable changes to spore morphology, highlighting the potential of these fabrics as vectors of spore transmission. This study demonstrates that alternative strategies should be urgently sought to disinfect C. difficile spores to break the chain of transmission in clinical environments.