Types Of Samples Research Articles

Optimal processing of tongue swab samples for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection by the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay.

Tongue swabs represent a potential alternative to sputum as a sample type for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) with molecular diagnostic tests. The methods used to process tongue swabs for testing in the World Health Organization-recommended Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) assay vary greatly. Here, we aimed to identify the optimal tongue swab processing for Xpert Ultra testing. We compared four methods for treating dry tongue swabs with the Xpert Sample Reagent (SR) mixed with various concentrations of Tris-EDTA-Tween to treatment with SR alone or to a commonly used heat inactivation protocol. In each condition, swabs obtained from volunteers without TB were placed into test buffer spiked with known amounts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv-mc26230. Swabs processed with 1:1 diluted SR buffer had the lowest Mtb limit of detection (LOD) at 22.7 CFU/700 µL (95% confidence interval (CI) 14.2-31.2), followed by 2:1 diluted SR buffer at 30.3 CFU/700 µL (95% CI 19.9-40.7), neat SR at 30.9 CFU/700 µL (95% CI 21.5-40.3), and SR prefilled in the Xpert Ultra at 57.1 CFU/700 µL (95% CI 42.4-71.7). Swabs processed using the heat-based protocol had the highest LOD (77.6 CFU/700 µL; 95% CI 51.2-104.0). Similar findings were observed for the LOD of RIF susceptibility. The 2:1 diluted SR buffer condition produced similar LODs when swabs were tested in the presence of sputum matrix or phosphate buffer saline. Further studies are needed to assess the performance of this processing protocol in a clinical setting.IMPORTANCEXpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) is approved by the World Health Organization for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). This test is typically performed using sputum specimens obtained from people with presumptive TB. In order to inactivate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and aid liquefaction, sputum must be mixed with Xpert SR prior to transfer into the Xpert Ultra. However, some people under evaluation for TB are unable to produce sputum. Alternative sample types for TB diagnosis would, therefore, be of value. Oral swabs, including tongue swabs, have shown promise, but there are technical challenges associated with sample processing. In this study, several new tongue swab processing conditions were evaluated by utilizing SR, either neat or diluted in buffer. The ability of Xpert Ultra to detect TB was improved under these conditions compared with the previously published heat-processing method; processing steps were simplified; and technical challenges were overcome.

Phenotypic and WGS-derived antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from retail meat and environment during 2014 to 2019 in China

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Enteritidis has highlighted the importance of regularly monitoring for the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant strains. The current study combined phenotyping analysis and whole-genome-sequencing (WGS) to investigate the associations between the antibiotic-resistant phenotypes (ARPs) and genetic characteristics determinants in 95 Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from retail meat and environmental samples in China (2014–2019). Phenotypic analyses revealed that 70 isolates (73.68%) were MDR with 12 distinct resistance patterns. Most MDR strains (81.43%) had NAL-AMP-FIS-STR ± TET profiles, showing a fluctuating trend from 2015 to 2019, likely influenced by tetracycline withdrawal management. WGS identified four types of mutations in the gyrA gene were associated with nalidixic acid resistance. The co-carrying of blaTEM, sul2 and aph(6)-Id/aph(3″)-Ib was likely mediated by an X1-type plasmid, corresponding to resistance against ampicillin, sulfisoxazole, and streptomycin. Combining phenotypic analyses and WGS data, the 31 sequenced strains were primarily divided into two clusters, with most epidemic resistant strains in the largest cluster A. Identical ARP patterns observed across different sample types, regions, and isolation years but clustering together in cluster A suggested potential cross-contamination within the retail chain. Cluster B exhibited more diverse resistance patterns and genetic characteristics. Notably, three isolates in cluster B require special mention: a monophasic strain resistant to eight antibiotics, a strain exhibiting highly heteroresistance, and a strain with additional exotoxin genes. These results highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance and the utility of WGS to track and understand antibiotic resistance in Salmonella Enteritidis.

The Index of Consensual Sexual Sadism (ICSS): Scale development, validation, measurement invariance, and nomological network comparisons with everyday sadism.

Sexual sadism has long been of interest to scholars and clinicians in psychology, and most research on sexual sadism has focused on forensic samples. However, recently, research has uncovered the existence of sexual sadism in general populations. Measures designed to assess sexual sadism in the general population are lacking. To address this gap, we created the Index of Consensual Sexual Sadism (ICSS) and performed some initial psychometric testing of its structure, measurement invariance, validity (e.g., distinguishment from everyday sadism), and reliability. In this preregistered study, separate samples of community adults and undergraduates (N = 1,391; Mage = 24.21, SDage = 10.92, rangeage = 18-85; 68.40% female; 76.10% White) completed the ICSS and measures of sadistic pleasure in sexual and nonsexual contexts, normal personality traits (HEXACO), personality disorder traits, antagonistic personality features (e.g., psychopathy), frequency of sadistic sexual fantasies, romantic relationship satisfaction, and social desirability. The ICSS demonstrated a unidimensional structure that was invariant across the tested groupings of sample type, sex, and age; in addition, the scale had only a trivial relation to social desirability bias, and it related to the other outcomes in a way that highlighted its construct validity and distinguished it from everyday sadism. The ICSS seems a viable candidate for assessing consensual sexual sadism so that clinicians and researchers can begin evaluating the full spectrum of sexual sadism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Suitability of different cytological preparations for molecular analysis of advanced NSCLC.

Around 85% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are diagnosed at an advanced stage (IIIB to IV), where therapeutic options depend on molecular analysis. However, diagnostic material for molecular testing is often represented by cytological samples which are generally scarce and span a wide range of preparation types. Thus, the primary objective is to efficiently manage materials for molecular profiling. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of different cytological samples to assess morphological and molecular characteristics of advanced NSCLC. Sixty-seven cytological samples obtained from patients with advanced NSCLC were utilized. The series encompassed different procedure types (fine-needle aspiration cytology, transbronchial needle aspiration, effusions) processed by cell blocks in 54% (n=36), direct smears in 33% (n=22), and Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) in 13% (n=9). Cytological diagnoses were routinely performed and molecular analysis were conducted using NGS and RT-PCR methods. Adequate quantity and quality of nucleic acids were obtained from all the samples, allowing molecular profiling. Combined Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed wild-type profiles in 62.7% (n=42) and mutated profiles in 37.3% (n=25) of the samples. Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus (KRAS) mutations were identified in 19.5% (n=13) of samples, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations in 10.4% (n=7) and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutations in 2.9% (n=2). Identified chromosomal alterations were v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) duplication in 2,9% (n=2). The cytological sample types examined in this study proved to be suitable for molecular testing, in addition to conventional morphologic diagnosis, showing versatility and adaptability to different clinical contexts. Molecular testing on cytological samples is accurate and fast, representing a valid tool for molecular profiling of advanced NSCLC.

The Antimicrobial Resistance of Candida: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis at a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan

Candida infections are a global health concern, increasingly complicated by rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study analyzed the prevalence and AMR patterns of circulating Candida species in Amman, Jordan, using electronic records from a tertiary teaching hospital’s microbiology lab (from 2017 to 2022). Complete records of Candida isolates (n = 2673) were assessed by sample type, species, and AMR. Among positive blood samples, C. albicans accounted for the majority (38.7%), followed by C. tropicalis (19.0%), C. parapsilosis (18.3%), Nakaseomyces glabratus (14.6%), and Pichia kudriavzevii (9.5%). Non-albicans species demonstrated higher resistance to Caspofungin, notably P. kudriavzevii (23.1%), N. glabratus (30.0%), and C. parapsilosis (32.0%), compared to C. albicans (1.9%). In high vaginal swabs, C. albicans was most prevalent (63.7%), with N. glabratus also notable (28.6%); Fluconazole resistance in C. albicans remained low (2.0%). Across all pooled isolates, AMR was similar between inpatients and outpatients, except for Micafungin, where inpatient resistance was significantly higher. In conclusion, non-albicans species predominated in blood infections and demonstrated pronounced AMR. Micafungin resistance was notably higher among inpatients. Variations in Candida species and AMR by sample type suggest that aggregating samples in registry studies may obscure critical patterns.

Detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 2 in air emissions from grow-finish barns.

Diagnosis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infections can be accomplished using various sample types and testing methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using air emission samples to detect the onset of PRRSV type 2 infections in growing pigs. Air emissions and oral fluid samples were collected from three grow-finish barns, stocked with PRRSV-negative pigsevery 2 weeksfor 14-20 weeks. All samples were assayed for PRRSV using RT-PCR. In all barns, PRRSV was initially detected in both air emissions and oral fluid samples at the same sampling event. Compared with oral fluids, air emissions collected subsequently yielded higher cycle threshold values and showed a lower likelihood of being RT-PCR positive. Sampling was limited to three grow-finish barns. Air emission samples from pig barns are a biosecure and non-invasive sample type that is comparable to oral fluids fordetection of the onset of PRRSV infection.

Few-Shot Object Detection for SAR Images via Context-Aware and Robust Gaussian Flow Representation

In recent decades, few-shot object detection in SAR imagery has gained prominence as a major research focus. The unique imaging mechanism of SAR causes the model to suffer from foreground–background imbalance and inaccurate extraction of class prototypes for novel class instances. Therefore, we propose an innovative few-shot object detection algorithm for SAR images via context-aware and robust Gaussian flow representation. First, we design the Context-Aware Enhancement module to address the foreground–context imbalance problem by refining representative support features into fine-grained prototypes, which are deeply fused with query features based on the prototype matching paradigm. Second, we devise the Manifold Class Distribution Estimation module to address the difficulty of class distribution estimation and the fluctuation of class centers of the sparse novel class. Furthermore, we formulate the Category-Balanced Difference Aggregation module to model the relationship between the base class and the novel class, addressing the sensitivity of the model to the variance of the novel class instances. Finally, we design the Cosine Decoupling Module so that the aggregated features are executed only on the classification branch without affecting the precise localization of the target. Experiments based on SAR-AIRcraft-1.0 and the self-constructed MSAR-AIR dataset indicate that the fine-grained detection and identification performance of the novel class of airplanes can reach 32.90% and 55.26%, respectively, in the 10-shot and 50-shot cases. In addition, our method enables cross-domain detection for different scenarios and sample types and exhibits excellent generalization performance in data-sparse scenarios.

Rapid identification of marine microplastics by laser-induced fluorescence technique based on PCA combined with SVM and KNN algorithm.

The laser-induced fluorescence technique has the advantage of fast and non-destructive detection and can be used to classify types of marine microplastics. However, spectral overlap poses a challenge for qualitative and quantitative analysis by conventional fluorescence spectroscopy. In this paper, a 405 nm excitation laser source was used to irradiate 4 types of microplastic samples with different concentrations, and a total of 1600 sets of fluorescence spectral data were obtained. The 726 data points contained in each sample spectrum were first analyzed by PCA, and the 4 microplastics were differentiated by their position in the PCA score plot. The classification and identification are then performed by SVM, KNN, PCA-SVM and PCA-KNN algorithms respectively. The classification accuracy of microplastics in seawater using SVM and KNN algorithms is higher than 86%. The classification accuracy can be increased to 100% by PCA combined with SVM and KNN algorithm. Concentration inversion was conducted by SVM and KNN algorithms after classification. The correlation coefficients between the predicted values and the actual values were higher than 0.8, and the RMSE was less than 0.47%, which indicated that both algorithms had good prediction results. These machine learning methods provide accurate and reliable identification results in the rapid identification of microplastic types and their concentrations without complex spectral data preprocessing and fluorescence background removal algorithms.

Potential Zoonotic Infections Transmitted by Free-Ranging Macaques in Human-Monkey Conflict Areas in Thailand.

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) can transmit zoonotic diseases to humans because of their close genetic relationship, facilitating the cross-species transmission of certain pathogens. In Thailand, Macaca is the most common NHP genus and their inhabits area are in close proximity of human, particularly in urban and suburban areas, where frequent interactions with humans increase the risk of pathogen transmission. The risk is influenced by factors such as the type of pathogen, the mode of transmission (e.g. direct contact or vector-borne), and the density of human and macaque populations in the regions. This study aims to investigate potential zoonotic infections in free-ranging macaques residing in human-monkey conflict areas. From 2014 to 2023, 2703 macaques across 29 provinces in Thailand were tested for 18 pathogens using PCR, RT-PCR, or real-time PCR. The associations between disease occurrence, demographic variables, and sample types of macaques were analysed using univariable and multivariable regression. The overall pathogen infection percentage was 35.7% (965/2703). Simian foamy virus (SFV) had the highest infection percentage at 52.5% (759/1446), followed by Herpesviridae at 41.4% (353/852), Plasmodium spp. at 1.8% (14/758), and hepatitis B virus at 0.1% (2/1403). Significant differences were observed among different sampling sites, macaque age groups, and species in infection proportion of SFV, and Herpesviridae. Identifying the pathogens carried by macaques is crucial for preparing for potential disease epidemics and outbreaks.

P1330 The gut microbiome at the onset of inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of the literature and unified bioinformatic synthesis of sequencing data from >1000 treatment naïve patients

Abstract Background There are few studies of the gut microbiome in new-onset IBD. We present a novel secondary bioinformatic re-analysis (BA) of sequence outputs mapped to latest microbial taxonomy derived from systematic review. Methods MEDLINE and Embase searches were performed for microbiome studies in pre-treatment IBD. Appraisal was completed with ROBINS-E. Available 16S rRNA sequence datasets were downloaded and missing datasets requested. Integrated datasets were run through a unified pipeline based in QIIME2 supplemented by phyloseq and DESeq2. Results From 12,264 studies, 10,804 abstracts and 217 full texts were screened. 31 studies were eligible; 18 met the requirements for BA. Most were low risk for bias, except uncontrolled confounding. Methodology varied extensively. Considering only amplicon data; samples originated from 1,743 unique individuals (including 678 Crohn’s disease (CD), 399 ulcerative colitis (UC), 123 ‘other’ IBD, 130 healthy, 405 symptomatic, and 8 familial controls) derived from 15 countries. DNA was extracted using 15 different kits, sequencing performed on 4 separate platforms targeting 10 different 16S rRNA hypervariable regions. There was a paucity of adult data, particularly mucosal biopsies. Bacterial alpha diversity was reduced: in faeces in paediatric UC vs symptomatic controls (SC), in adult CD and UC vs HC and in paediatric SC vs HC (Figure 1). In paediatric biopsies in CD vs SC, CD vs UC, SC vs UC (Figure 2). Beta-diversity BA by Bray-Curtis demonstrated clear distinctions between faecal and mucosal biopsy communities, least evident in UC. Faecal communities separated by geography, though less evidently in biopsies. Differential abundance analysis revealed enrichment of oral genera across sample types (Fusobacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Neisseria in CD; Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Peptostreptococcus, Porphyromonas, Neisseria, Gemella in UC). Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers were diminished but less consistently across IBD phenotype and sample type. Conclusion This work demonstrates the utility of a combined systematic review/secondary data analysis approach to published microbiome datasets. Whilst synthesis remains challenging due to the methodological inconsistencies within these studies, this approach better accounts for these variations and presents a new way to consider this data. A reduction in bacterial diversity remains core to the IBD microbiome, though with more complexity than previously considered (SC<UC in paediatric biopsies). Microbial community structure changes by sample type and geography. Enrichment of oral bacteria is consistent across IBD subtypes and sample types suggesting their importance in the disease. A deficit in SCFA producers may also be important.

P0049 Bile acid profiling of ileal fluid in Crohn’s disease using metabolomics

Abstract Background An ileal resection is known to cause bile acid malabsorption in Crohn’s disease (CD) 1, but its impact on the bile acid landscape remains understudied. Therefore, we studied bile acid composition in ileal fluid of CD and control patients using targeted metabolomics, and assessed the impact of sample preparation. Methods Ileal fluid was collected from CD patients (n=10) and non-IBD controls (n=10) having an ileostomy (patient characteristics in Table 1). Targeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS) was applied on full ileal fluid samples as well as on their supernatants (ie. after centrifugation of a full fluid sample aliquot). Bile acid raw abundances were normalised to sample weight (g), and only bile acids detected in at least 40% of all samples (per sample type) were included for further analysis. A comparative analysis between full ileal fluid and its supernatants across all samples was assessed by Spearman correlations, while the bile acid abundances between CD and controls was compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. A nominal p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results For the CD group, the median [min-max] length of resected ileum was 15.0 [0.0-33.5] cm and 0.0 [0.0-15.0] cm for the control group (Table 1). Ten primary, 6 secondary and 2 modified bile acids were present in full ileal fluid as well as in the corresponding supernatants. While bile acid abundances were 1.2 to 6.0 times higher in full ileal fluid compared to paired supernatants (Figure 1A), the overall bile acid profiles remained highly consistent. In particular, 13 out of 18 bile acids showed a strong correlation between both sample types (r>0.8, p<0.05), and the remaining 5 showed moderate but significant correlations (r=0.5-0.7, p<0.05). Lastly, while the abundances between the full CD and control groups were similar, a subanalysis comparing CD patients with an ileal resection (n=5) to controls with a total mesorectal excision (n=6), revealed an increase in primary bile acids glycocholic acid (GCA) (p=0.052) and glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) (p=0.056) in the CD subgroup (Figure 1B). Conclusion In this pilot metabolomics study, we detected both primary and secondary bile acids in the ileal fluid of CD patients and controls. Bile acid composition in full ileal fluid aligns well with its derived supernatant, suggesting supernatant as a viable alternative for measurements, simplifying sample preparation. GCA and GCDCA, both primary bile acids typically reabsorbed in the ileum, tended to be increased after ileal resection in CD patients. A broader screening of bile acid and microbiota metabolites in ileal fluid on a larger scale may unravel novel targets contributing to disease recurrence after resection. References (1)Vitek L. Bile acid malabsorption in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2015;21(2):476-83

Lipidomic Expression Analysis In Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease: A Systematic Review.

Lipids are key molecules for atherosclerosis, with tight regulation mechanisms, making them potential biomarkers for disease-specific diagnostics and therapeutics. Therefore, we aim to perform a systematic literature review on lipidomic analysis in serum/plasma and plaque samples of patients with carotid atherosclerosis. We performed a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines on the lipidomic profile in serum/plasma and carotid artery plaques from patients with significant carotid disease by degree of stenosis in preoperative imaging and clinical presentation (symptomatic, asymptomatic, radiation-induced carotid disease). Main outcome was the differential lipidomic expression of serum/plasma, and plaque lipids of patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis. Studies were screened using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to determine the quality of the design and content of the selected manuscripts. We included fourteen studies, from which ten included plaque analysis. The lipidomic analysis revealed that sterols and hydroxycholesterols were consistently found in both blood and plaque across studies. Triacylglycerols were present in both sample types, with specific forms linked to radiation-induced carotid artery disease. Symptomatic patients exhibited esterified hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and arachidonic acid precursors exclusively in plaque with an inflammatory profile of the disease. In contrast, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were associated with plaque stability. Diabetics showed nonesterified fatty acids and specific phospholipids only in plaque, indicating localized lipid changes. Other pathways relevant to disease progression include the sphingolipids and ceramide pathways with inflammatory profiling. Lipidomic provides an innovative approach to stratify carotid atherosclerotic disease. Integrating lipidomic data with other -omics approaches may further enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and aid in the development of precision medicine approaches, specifically in those patients at risk for early carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Phase 1 Mass Balance Study of Pizuglanstat: An Investigational Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase Inhibitor.

Pizuglanstat is a novel hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase inhibitor and investigational treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This Phase 1 mass balance study aimed to characterize the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of carbon-14 (14C)-labeled pizuglanstat in healthy adults (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04825431). After administering a single oral dose of [14C]pizuglanstat solution containing 400mg of pizuglanstat and 1 megabecquerel of radioactivity to 6 healthy men (median age, 26years), pizuglanstat in plasma reached a maximal concentration after a median of 0.5hour and declined with a geometric mean half-life of 7.7hours. Pizuglanstat and its metabolites were primarily excreted via the fecal route; on average, 66.1% of administered radioactivity was excreted in feces after 168hours, compared with 32.2% excreted in urine. Pizuglanstat was mostly present as the unchanged parent molecule in plasma, urine, and feces, while the sulfate conjugate of hydroxyl pizuglanstat was the major metabolite in each sample type. Two adverse drug reactions of urticaria were reported in 2 participants (33.3%); both events were nonsevere and manageable with treatment, and no other clinically significant safety events were observed. Overall, this study provides important pharmacokinetic, mass balance, and safety data to support the development of pizuglanstat as a new treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Exploring animal food microbiomes and resistomes via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics.

As a diverse and complex food matrix, the animal food microbiota and repertoire of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes remain to be better understood. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics were applied to three types of animal food samples (cattle feed, dry dog food, and poultry feed). ZymoBIOMICS mock microbial community was used for workflow optimization including DNA extraction kits and bead-beating conditions. The four DNA extraction kits (AllPrep PowerViral DNA/RNA Kit, DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit, DNeasy PowerSoil Kit, and ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit) were compared in animal food as well as the use of peptide nucleic acid blockers for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Distinct microbial community profiles were generated, which varied by animal food type and DNA extraction kit. Employing peptide nucleic acid blockers prior to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was comparable with post-sequencing in silico filtering at removing chloroplast and mitochondrial sequences. There was a good agreement between 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics on community profiles in animal feed data sets; however, they differed in taxonomic resolution, with the latter superior at resolving at the species level. Although the overall prevalence of AMR genes was low, resistome analysis of animal feed data sets by shotgun metagenomics revealed 10 AMR gene/protein families, including beta-lactamases, erythromycin/lincomycin/pristinamycin/tylosin, fosfomycin, phenicol, and quinolone. Future expansion of microbiome and resistome profiling in animal food will help better understand the bacterial and AMR gene diversity in these commodities and help guide pathogen control and AMR prevention efforts.IMPORTANCEWith the growing interest and application of metagenomics in understanding the structure/composition and function of diverse microbial communities along the One Health continuum, this study represents one of the first attempts to employ these advanced sequencing technologies to characterize the microbiota and AMR genes in animal food. We unraveled the effects of DNA extraction kits on sample analysis by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and showed similar efficacies of two strategies at removing chloroplast and mitochondrial reads. The in-depth analysis using shotgun metagenomics shed light on the community compositions and the presence of an array of AMR genes in animal food. This exploration of microbiomes and resistomes in representative animal food samples by both sequencing approaches laid important groundwork for future metagenomic investigations to gain a better understanding of the baseline/core microbiomes and associated AMR functions in these diverse commodities and help guide pathogen control and AMR prevention efforts.

Community structure and diversity of myxobacteria in soils from Inner Mongolia, China

Myxobacteria are a special kind of Gram-negative bacteria that can slide and produce a variety of bioactive substances against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It has great development and research value in medicine and agriculture. Although myxobacteria have become a research hotspot at home and abroad, there are few systematic studies on the relationship between its diversity, geographical location, and environment factors. In order to solve these problems, 133 soil samples were collected from the east to the west of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and divided into five groups. The water content, pH, organic matter, available phosphorus, hydrolytic nitrogen, and available potassium content of soil samples were determined by national standards and other methods. The quantitative assessment of the abundance of myxobacteria in the soil sample was performed by quantitative real-time PCR. The composition of myxobacteria in the soil was determined by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the differences in the community structure of myxobacteria among different groups, explore the relationship between the diversity of myxobacteria resources and the distribution and physical and chemical properties of the soil, and predict and analyze its community function. The results showed that there were abundant myxobacteria resources in the soils of Inner Mongolia, and the average relative abundance of myxobacteria in the soil samples from the central part of Inner Mongolia was higher than that in the eastern and western parts, but the richness and diversity of samples from the central to eastern regions were significantly higher than those from the western regions. The myxobacteria resources in the whole region included 10 families and 22 genera, among which the dominant genera were Labilitrix, Sandaracinus, Archangium, and Haliangium. The analysis of the species composition of myxobacteria among different groups found that the distribution of soil and soil type had an impact on the species composition of the samples. The species with significant differences in relative abundance among the five groups of samples were Labilitrix, Archangium, Sandaracinus, Minicystis, Polyangium, and Myxococcus. In addition, the latitude and longitude of the sampling point and the soil pH, water content, available phosphorus content and organic matter content had a greater impact on the myxobacteria community structure of samples, while the altitude of the soil sample and the contents of available potassium and alkaline nitrogen had a relatively small impact. Our data suggest that the distribution, type and nutrient composition of soil samples have an impact on the relative abundance and species composition of myxobacteria community. The completion of this work can provide basic data for the in-depth study of myxobacteria in the soil.

Rapid and Simple Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) Sample Preparation for Propofol Analysis in Hair, Blood, and Urine by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Propofol is a widely used anesthetic. Although considered safe, propofol-related deaths occur, as it is sometimes abused recreationally or used to commit suicide. A simple, rapid, and reliable method for its analysis in various biological samples is needed. Sample clean-up is a critical step in the analysis, both in terms of time and cost, indeed. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) is a simple and fast extraction based on ternary solvent mixtures that uses small volumes of solvent and sample. A DLLME extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was developed and validated for the analysis of propofol in blood, urine, and hair. The same extraction mixture of 2.5:1 methanol/chloroform was used for the different biological samples. Validation for linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, accuracy, and recovery gave satisfactory results for the three types of biological samples included in the study, with limits of quantification of 1 μg/mL for urine, 0.2 μg/mL for blood, and 0.1 ng/mg for hair. The DLLME procedure for purification involves a small amount of solvent, thus reducing the cost and the environmental impact. In addition, a high enrichment factor is obtained, and the time for analysis is short. The method was applied to authentic post-mortem samples for the determination of propofol in blood, urine, and hair. Also, segmental hair analysis was performed to assess chronic propofol abuse. The developed method proved to be rapid, simple, and cost-effective for blood, urine, and hair extract clean-up for the determination of propofol by GC/MS.

Carambola fruit fly in Brazil: new host and first record of associated parasitoids

Abstract Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock (Diptera: Tephritidae), the Carambola fruit fly, is an invasive species in South America. This work aims to confirm the expansion of the host range of B. carambolae and report the occurrence of its parasitism in Brazil. The study was carried out in the Jari Valley region, Pará, Brazil. Two types of sampling of Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) were carried out: one with grouped fruits to verify if they were infested by B. carambolae (Sites A, B, C) and the other with individualized fruits to investigate parasitism (Site C). Morphological analysis was done to confirm parasitism, based mainly on the cephalopharyngeal skeleton embedded in the opercula of the puparia. From the sampling with grouped T. catappa fruit, 2,841 fruit fly puparia were obtained, from which 480 B. carambolae specimens and 1,228 specimens of Anastrepha spp. Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) emerged. Site C was the one with the highest fruit fly infestation of T. catappa fruits. We conclude that T. catappa is a moderately good host at Site A and a good host at Sites B and C. From the samplings with individualized fruits of T. catappa, an adjusted parasitism index of 21.2 % was obtained for Anastrepha spp. and 1.8 % for B. carambolae, confirming the presence of the parasitoids Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). The native parasitoids D. areolatus, U. anastrephae, and A. pelleranoi were reported for the first time parasitizing B. carambolae larvae in Brazil.

Mesh-Collision Microtube Plasma Ion Source for Direct Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

Developing ambient ionization methods for direct mass spectrometry (MS) analysis is crucial for achieving sample-to-answer capabilities, especially for rapid analysis and monitoring in specific scenarios. Herein, a compact device is presented that utilizes mesh-collision microtube plasma (MC-μTP) ionization for direct online MS analysis. This device features a self-aspirating design that enables the direct analysis of various sample types. It includes an energy-efficient μTP generator with a single microneedle electrode and a high-efficiency molecule-ion reactor. The reactor integrates a screen mesh that disrupts and disperses the plasma plume, optimizing the mixing and contact probability between reactant ions and analyte molecules to enhance the ionization efficiency. For the data analysis, Venn diagrams were employed to facilitate the differential analysis of components in red wines from various regions. Furthermore, the release patterns of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from leather products in a simulated high-temperature enclosed space were investigated through online monitoring. The integration of MC-μTP with a miniature mass spectrometer enabled the detection of eight distinct VOCs in leather products, showcasing promising potential for future on-site VOC monitoring within vehicle interiors.

Films Based on Chitosan/Konjac Glucomannan Blend Containing Resveratrol for Potential Skin Application.

Biopolymers represent a significant class of materials with potential applications in skin care due to their beneficial properties. Resveratrol is a natural substance that exhibits a range of biological activities, including the scavenging of free radicals and anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. In this study, chitosan/konjac glucomannan resveratrol-enriched thin films were prepared. The enrichment of biomaterials with active ingredients is a common practice, as it allows the desired properties to be obtained in the final product. To characterize the films, several analyses were performed, including infrared spectroscopy, imaging of the samples by SEM and AFM techniques, swelling analysis in pH 5.5 and 7.4, mechanical and antioxidant assays, contact angle measurements, and determination of the resveratrol release profile under the skin mimicking conditions. Resveratrol incorporation into the matrices resulted in modifications to the chemical structure and film morphology. The mechanical characteristics of films with additives were found to undergo deterioration. The sample containing 10% of resveratrol exhibited a higher swelling degree than other films. The resveratrol-modified films demonstrated a notable antioxidant capacity, a reduced contact angle, and enhanced wettability. The resveratrol release occurred rapidly initially, with a maximum of 84% and 56% of the substance released depending on the sample type. Thus, the proposed formulations have promising properties, in particular good swelling capacity, high antioxidant potential, and improved wettability, and may serve as skin dressings after further investigation.

Sexual Violence and Shame: A Meta-Analysis.

Although sexual violence (SV) has been hypothesized to increase shame, the relationship between SV and shame has not been quantified. Addressing this gap is essential for developing targeted interventions for survivors, as shame is a transdiagnostic risk factor for numerous forms of psychopathology and a barrier to service-seeking. This meta-analysis first examines whether individuals exposed to SV demonstrate higher shame than individuals who reported no SV exposure. Second, we assessed the strength of the associations between SV severity and shame severity. Seven databases were searched for studies published from inception to June 2023. Original studies that assessed SV and shame in at least 10 participants were eligible for inclusion. Random effects models examined shame differences between SV survivors and non-SV-exposed individuals and quantified the association between SV severity and shame severity. Meta-analyses of 53 studies (97 effects, N = 15,110) indicated that individuals exposed versus those not exposed to SV experience higher shame (g = 0.55), with medium effects found across SV timing (childhood/adolescence or adulthood) and shame subtypes (trait, body, trauma-related). SV severity was moderately associated with shame (r = .20), with strong correlations found between child/adolescent SV severity and trauma-related shame, and small effects found between adolescent/adult SV severity and trauma-related and body shame. Risk of bias ratings, whether contact SV was experienced, sample type, and gender moderated some models. Our findings suggest that shame is a clinically significant correlate of SV. Interventions that address shame may contribute to more positive outcomes for survivors.