Publications by authors named "Birer A"

We investigated the role of ChiA and its associated polymorphisms in the interaction between Crohn's disease (CD)-associated adherent-invasive (AIEC) and intestinal mucosa. We observed a higher abundance of among the metagenome of CD patients compared to healthy subjects. In dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice model, AIEC-LF82∆ colonization was reduced in ileal, colonic and fecal samples compared to wild-type LF82.

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We examined the emergence and characteristics of oxacillinase-484-producing Enterobacterales in France during 2012-2023. Genomic analysis identified 2 predominant sequence types in Escherichia coli: ST410 and ST1722. Plasmid analysis revealed that bla genes were carried mostly on an IncX3-type plasmid associated with genetic elements including insertion sequences IS3000 and ISKpn19.

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We characterized a collection of IMI-like-producing Enterobacter spp. isolates (n = 112) in France. The main clone corresponded to IMI-1-producing sequence type 820 E.

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Background: Carbapenem- and extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (CR-E and ESCR-E, respectively) are increasingly isolated worldwide. Information about these bacteria is sporadic in Lebanon and generally relies on conventional diagnostic methods, which is detrimental for a country that is struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis and a collapsing public health system. Here, CR-E isolates from different Lebanese hospitals were characterized.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A study identified 37 clinical cases of NDM-14-producing bacteria using whole genome sequencing and found that they all belonged to sequence type ST147.
  • * The NDM-14 clone has a high mutation rate and is resistant to most antimicrobials, emphasizing the need for vigilant surveillance in healthcare settings to control its spread.
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The emergence of carbapenemase producers in Enterobacterales mostly involves , , and complex species. However, in France, we observed the emergence and the rapid dissemination of carbapenemase in spp. In this study, we demonstrated that a wide variety of carbapenemases is produced by many different species of spp.

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The potential role of gut microbiota in pain modulation is arousing an emerging interest since recent years. This study investigated neuromodulatory properties of gut microbiota to identify next-generation probiotics to propose alternative therapies for visceral pain management. Neuromodulation ability of 10 bacterial strains isolated from a healthy donor was assessed both on ND7/23 immortalized cell line and primary neuronal cells from rat dorsal root ganglia.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cefiderocol resistance is becoming more common in Enterobacterales that produce New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase.
  • Research on Escherichia coli sequence type 361 shows mutations that contribute to this resistance in France.
  • Ongoing genomic monitoring of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales is necessary to better understand the spread of cefiderocol-resistant E. coli in Europe.
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Objectives: Neonatal sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has a high morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Here, the molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance in bacteria responsible for neonatal sepsis were determined.

Methods: From July to December 2019, documented bacteraemia from 524 neonates hospitalised in a neonatal intensive care unit in Morocco were collected.

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Article Synopsis
  • Certain extensively drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) strains are exhibiting dual resistance to linezolid and glycopeptides, highlighting a significant health challenge on Reunion Island, where a recent outbreak of linezolid- and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (LVREf) occurred.
  • A study analyzed vancomycin-resistant E. faecium isolates from 2015 to 2019, identifying a cluster of seven outbreak isolates in 2019 linked to an imported strain from India, along with a notable genetic profile that included resistance genes.
  • The findings emphasize the urgent need for stringent infection control measures to prevent the spread of these resistant strains and address the public health risks associated
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Besides phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a promising alternative approach for detection of resistance phenotypes. The aim of this study was to investigate the concordance between WGS-based resistance prediction and phenotypic AST results for enterococcal clinical isolates using a user-friendly online tools and databases. A total of 172 clinical isolates (34 E.

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During 2013-2021, increased prevalence of oxacillinase 232-producing Enterobacterales was observed in France, mostly driven by its emergence in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Whole-genome sequencing identified that oxacillinase 232-producing K. pneumoniae belonged to 14 sequence types (STs), among which 2 polyclonal high-risk clones, ST-231 and ST-2096, were overrepresented.

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Background And Aims: The mechanism of action of anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] agents could implicate macrophage modulation in Crohn's disease [CD]. As CD macrophages are defective in controlling CD-associated adherent-invasive Escherichia coli [AIEC], anti-TNF agents could limit AIEC replication within macrophages. We assessed the effect of anti-TNF agents on AIEC survival within monocyte-derived macrophages [MDMs] from CD patients and attempted to identify the proteins involved.

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Dual resistance to colistin and carbapenems is a milestone reached by certain extensively-drug resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria. This study describes the first outbreak of XDR colistin- and carbapenem-resistant OXA-23-/NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter baumannii (CCRAB) in the European overseas territory of Reunion Island (France, Indian Ocean). Between April 2019 and June 2020, 13 patients admitted to the University Hospital of Reunion Island were involved in the outbreak, of whom eight were infected and six died.

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Sewage sludge is abundant biomass, the sustainable management of which remains a big issue worldwide. It was demonstrated that pyrolysis of sewage sludge using simple and cost-effective apparatus can produce biochars, suitable for solid-phase extraction applications of hydrophobic analytes. Detailed characterization showed that modification lead to three more hydrophobic and one more hydrophilic sample, compared to the original biochar.

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Objective: This article presents shear wave generation by remotely stimulating aluminum patches through a transient magnetic field, and its preliminary application in the cross-correlation approach based ultrasound elastography.

Methods: A transient magnetic field is employed to remotely vibrate the patch actuators through the Lorentz force. The origin, and the characteristics of the Lorentz force are confirmed using an interferometric laser probe.

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We recovered 2 carbapenem-resistant K2-ST86 hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients in France. The isolates had genetic attributes of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae but differed in ability to cause mouse lethality.

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This work focuses on the evaluation of a type of piezoelectric lithotripter with similar dimensions of a commercial lithotripter and composed of either 3 or 4 large lens focused piezoelectric transducers set either in a confocal coplanar C-shape or a confocal spherical shape. Each transducer is made with a 92 mm diameter 220 kHz flat piezoelectric ceramic disc and a 3D printed acoustic lens. Both confocal setups pressure field were measured with a fiber optic hydrophone, and in vitro fragmentations of 13 mm diameter and 14 mm length cylindrical model stones were done in a 2 mm mesh basket.

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In ocular drug delivery, the sclera is a promising pathway for administering drugs to both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Due to the low permeability of the sclera, however, efficient drug delivery is challenging. In this study, pulsed ultrasound (US) was investigated as a potential method for enhancing drug delivery to the eye through the sclera.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate a flat rectangular (3×10mm(2)) MRI compatible transducer operating at 5MHz. The main task was to explore the feasibility of creating deep lesions in heart at a depth of at least 15mm. The size of thermal necrosis in heart tissue was estimated as a function of power and time using a simulation model.

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This study examined the feasibility of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for glaucoma treatment with conformal coagulation of the ciliary bodies (CB). A miniaturized high frequency (21 MHz) device was developed, based on the geometry of the eye and adapted to the anatomy of the rabbit eyeball. Six line-focus lesions were distributed along a circle and produced by six cylindrical transducers.

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Image-guided thermal ablation offers minimally invasive options for treating hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal metastases in liver. Here, the feasibility and the potential benefit of active temperature control for MR-guided percutaneous ultrasound ablation was investigated in pig liver. An MR-compatible interstitial ultrasound applicator (flat transducer), a positioning system with rotation-translation guiding frame, and an orbital ring holder were developed.

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Unresectable liver tumors are often treated with interstitial probes that modify tissue temperature, and efficacious treatment relies on image guidance for tissue targeting and assessment. Here, we report the in vivo evaluation of an interstitial applicator with a mechanically oscillating five-element dual-mode transducer. After thoroughly characterizing the transducer, tissue response to high-intensity ultrasound was numerically calculated to select parameters for experimentation in vivo.

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The standard methods for recanalyzing thrombosed vessels are vascular stenting or administration of thrombolytic drugs. However, these methods suffer from uncertain success rate and side-effects. Therefore, minimally-invasive ultrasound methods have been investigated.

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