Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) harboring mupirocin and biocide resistance genes in a large health care system.

Background: We aimed to determine the prevalence of genes associated with high-level mupirocin and biocide resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates among hospitalized patients and to characterize their genomic and epidemiologic features.

Methods: Study conducted on an integrated health system. Clinical cultures with MRSA from hospitalized patients collected between March 1, 2023, and January 20, 2024 underwent prospective whole-genome sequencing, including assessment for the presence of markers of resistance against mupirocin (mupA) and biocides (qac).

Estimating Transcriptome Diversity and Specialization in L.

Chili pepper fruits of the genus represent excellent experimental models to study the growth, development, and ripening processes in a non-climacteric species at the physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. Fruit growth, development, and ripening involve a complex, harmonious, and finely controlled regulation of gene expression. The purpose of this study was to estimate the changes in transcriptome diversity and specialization, as well as gene specificities during fruit development in this crop, and to illustrate the advantages of estimating these parameters.

Difficult-to-treat (DTR) harboring Verona-Integron metallo-β-lactamase (): infection management and molecular analysis.

harboring Verona Integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase enzymes (VIM-CRPA) have been associated with infection outbreaks in several parts of the world. In the US, however, VIM-CRPA remain rare. Starting in December 2018, we identified a cluster of cases in our institution.

Impact of In-house Polymerase Chain Reaction Screening on Admission on the Incidence Rates of Surveillance and Blood Cultures With and Associated Cost Savings.

Background: The impact of strategies for rapid diagnostic screening of on hospital operations has not been previously characterized. We describe the implementation of in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on admission for screening of colonization with associated process improvements, and financial impact.

Methods: This study was conducted across an integrated health system.

A non-invasive method to predict drought survival in Arabidopsis using quantum yield under light conditions.

Background: Survival rate (SR) is frequently used to compare drought tolerance among plant genotypes. While a variety of techniques for evaluating the stress status of plants under drought stress conditions have been developed, determining the critical point for the recovery irrigation to evaluate plant SR often relies directly on a qualitative inspection by the researcher or on the employment of complex and invasive techniques that invalidate the subsequent use of the tested individuals.

Results: Here, we present a simple, instantaneous, and non-invasive method to estimate the survival probability of Arabidopsis thaliana plants after severe drought treatments.

Large scale sampling of Mexican maize landraces for the presence of transgenes.

The presence and levels of transgenic maize in Mexico and the effect this could have on local landraces or closely related species such as teosinte has been the subject of several previous reports, some showing contrasting results. Cultural, social and political factors all affect maize cultivation in Mexico and although since 1998 there has been a moratorium on the commercial cultivation of transgenic maize, Mexico imports maize, mainly from the USA where transgenic cultivars are widely grown. Additionally extensive migration between rural areas in Mexico and the USA and customs of seed exchange between farmers may also play an unintentional role in the establishment of transgenic seed.

Gene Functional Networks from Time Expression Profiles: A Constructive Approach Demonstrated in Chili Pepper ( L.).

Gene co-expression networks are powerful tools to understand functional interactions between genes. However, large co-expression networks are difficult to interpret and do not guarantee that the relations found will be true for different genotypes. Statistically verified time expression profiles give information about significant changes in expressions through time, and genes with highly correlated time expression profiles, which are annotated in the same biological process, are likely to be functionally connected.

Putative Transcription Factor Genes Associated with Regulation of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Chili Pepper Fruits Revealed by RNA-Seq Coexpression Analysis.

During the ripening process, the pericarp of chili pepper ( spp.) fruits accumulates large amounts of carotenoids. Although the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in the genus has been widely studied from different perspectives, the transcriptional regulation of genes encoding carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes has not been elucidated in this fruit.

Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Single-Center Experience in the United States, 2013-2018.

Background: is increasingly recognized as a human pathogen causing life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. There is a paucity of data around this topic in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

Methods: This work was a single-center retrospective cohort study of all SOT recipients with a positive culture for between 2013 and 2018.

Metabolomic Analysis Identifies Differences Between Wild and Domesticated Chili Pepper Fruits During Development ( L.).

spp. members are a rich source of specialized compounds due to their secondary metabolism. Some metabolic pathways have suffered modifications during the domestication process and improvement of agricultural traits.

Multicenter, Prospective Validation of a Phenotypic Algorithm to Guide Carbapenemase Testing in Carbapenem-Resistant Using the ERACE-PA Global Surveillance Program.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing, carbapenem-resistant (CP-CRPA) is a global challenge. However, detection efforts can be laborious because numerous mechanisms produce carbapenem resistance. A minimum inhibitory concentration-based algorithm (imipenem- or meropenem-resistant plus ceftazidime-nonsusceptible plus cefepime-nonsusceptible) was proposed to identify the isolates most likely to harbor a carbapenemase; however, prospective validation in geographies displaying genotypic diversity and varied carbapenemase prevalence is warranted.

Inheritance of gene expression throughout fruit development in chili pepper.

Gene expression is the primary molecular phenotype and can be estimated in specific organs or tissues at particular times. Here we analyzed genome-wide inheritance of gene expression in fruits of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in reciprocal crosses between a domesticated and a wild accession, estimating this parameter during fruit development.

Transcriptomic analysis of a wild and a cultivated varieties of Capsicum annuum over fruit development and ripening.

Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Its fruits contain metabolites produced over the maturation process like capsaicinoids and carotenoids. This metabolic process produces internal changes in flavor, color, texture, and aroma in fruits to make them more attractive for seed dispersal organisms.

Elevated MICs of Susceptible Antipseudomonal Cephalosporins in Non-Carbapenemase-Producing, Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Implications for Dose Optimization.

The present study evaluated the potency of ceftazidime and cefepime among carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected as part of a global surveillance program and assessed the pharmacodynamic implications using previously published population pharmacokinetics. When susceptible, MICs resulted at the high end of distribution for both ceftazidime and cefepime, thus 6 g/day was required to achieve optimal pharmacodynamic profiles. These findings should be considered in the clinic and for the application of CLSI susceptibility breakpoints.

The ERACE-PA Global Surveillance Program: Ceftolozane/tazobactam and Ceftazidime/avibactam in vitro Activity against a Global Collection of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The cephalosporin-β-lactamase-inhibitor-combinations, ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam, have revolutionized treatment of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CR-PA). A contemporary assessment of their in vitro potency against a global CR-PA collection and an assessment of carbapenemase diversity are warranted. Isolates determined as CR-PA by the submitting site were collected from 2019-2021 (17 centers in 12 countries) during the ERACE-PA Global Surveillance Program.

A method to analyze time expression profiles demonstrated in a database of chili pepper fruit development.

RNA-Seq experiments allow genome-wide estimation of relative gene expression. Estimation of gene expression at different time points generates time expression profiles of phenomena of interest, as for example fruit development. However, such profiles can be complex to analyze and interpret.

Duration of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriales carriage among ICU patients in Miami, FL: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Current recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest placing patients with carbapenem-producing Enterobacteriales (CPE) in contact precautions, but there is no consensus on the appropriate duration of precautions.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate predictors for prolonged CPE carriage and median clearance time.

Methods: Patients with first isolated CPE identified from 2012-2016 were followed for clearance of CPE using at least two rectal or tracheal aspirate surveillance cultures and clinical cultures during intensive-care-unit admission.

Transcriptome Analyses Throughout Chili Pepper Fruit Development Reveal Novel Insights into the Domestication Process.

Chili pepper ( spp.) is an important crop, as well as a model for fruit development studies and domestication. Here, we performed a time-course experiment to estimate standardized gene expression profiles with respect to fruit development for six domesticated and four wild chili pepper ancestors.

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the Transcription Factor Gene Family in Chili Pepper ( spp.).

The MYB transcription factor family is very large and functionally diverse in plants, however, only a few members of this family have been reported and characterized in chili pepper ( spp.). In the present study, we performed genome-wide analyses of the MYB family in , including phylogenetic relationships, conserved domain, gene structure organization, motif protein arrangement, chromosome distribution, chemical properties predictions, RNA-seq expression, and RT-qPCR expression assays.

Risk factors for the development of infections associated with carbapenemase-producing among previously colonized patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Not all patients who acquire carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) develop infections by these organisms; many remain only colonized. Of 54 CPE-colonized patients, 16 (30%) developed CPE infections. We identified indwelling urinary catheter exposure, exposure to intravenous colistin, and overseas transfer as variables associated with CPE infection development among colonized patients.