Genetic and biochemical characterization of OXA-1186, a novel OXA-198-type carbapenemase hydrolysing cephalosporins in Citrobacter freundii.

Objectives: This study described OXA-1186, a novel carbapenemase related to OXA-198 carbapenemase and produced by a clinical isolate of Citrobacter freundii.

Methods: WGS was used to characterize the resistome, virulome and plasmid types of the C. freundii 315C8 isolate and to reconstruct the blaOXA-1186-carrying plasmid.

Molecular, Genetic, and Biochemical Characterization of OXA-484 Carbapenemase, a Difficult-to-Detect R214G Variant of OXA-181.

OXA-244, an R214G variant of OXA-48, is silently spreading worldwide likely because of difficulties in detection using classical screening media. Here, we characterized two clinical isolates of and that displayed reduced susceptibility to carbapenems but were lacking significant carbapenemase activity as revealed by negative Carba NP test results. However, positive test results were seen for OXA-48-like enzymes by lateral flow immunoassays.

Neonatal sepsis due to NDM-1 and VIM-2 co-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Morocco.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are being increasingly described worldwide. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying carbapenem resistance in an extremely drug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolate from a neonatal intensive care unit in Morocco.

Automatic left ventricle volume and mass quantification from 2D cine-MRI: Investigating papillary muscle influence.

Objective: Early detection of cardiovascular diseases is based on accurate quantification of the left ventricle (LV) function parameters. In this paper, we propose a fully automatic framework for LV volume and mass quantification from 2D-cine MR images already segmented using U-Net.

Methods: The general framework consists of three main steps: Data preparation including automatic LV localization using a convolution neural network (CNN) and application of morphological operations to exclude papillary muscles from the LV cavity.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of Bacterial Isolates Recovered from Abscesses in Cattle and Sheep at a Slaughterhouse in Algeria.

Abscesses represent the most prominent emerging problem in the red meat industry, leading to great economic constraints and public health hazards. Data on etiological agents present in these purulent lesions in Algeria are very scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria responsible for these abscesses and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility profiles.

Role of amino acid 159 in carbapenem and temocillin hydrolysis of OXA-933, a novel OXA-48 variant.

OXA-48 has rapidly disseminated worldwide and become one of the most common carbapenemases in many countries with more than 45 variants reported with, in some cases, significant differences in their hydrolysis profiles. The R214 residue, located in the ß5-ß6 loop, is crucial for the carbapenemase activity, as it stabilizes carbapenems in the active site and maintains the shape of the active site through interactions with D159. In this study, we have characterized a novel variant of OXA-48, OXA-933 with a single D159N change.

Development of an ultrafast PCR to detect clinically relevant acquired vancomycin-resistance genes from cultured enterococci.

Background: VRE are increasingly described worldwide. Screening of hospitalized patients at risk for VRE carriage is mandatory to control their dissemination. Here, we have developed the Bfast [VRE Panel] PCR kit, a rapid and reliable quantitative PCR assay for detection of vanA, vanB, vanD and vanM genes, from solid and liquid cultures adaptable to classical and ultrafast real-time PCR platforms.

The occurrence of the carbapenemase gene, bla, on a transmissible IncX3 plasmid in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from a farm dog.

Objectives: In-depth phenotypic and genomic analyses on a carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli isolate, recovered from the faeces of a farm dog in Lebanon, focusing on its antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns and the underlying resistome.

Methods: E. coli strain EC-106 was identified using MALDI-TOF-MS.

The emergence of carbapenemase-producing in hospitals: a major challenge for a debilitated healthcare system in Lebanon.

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.

Seed Priming with Salicylic Acid Alleviates Salt Stress Toxicity in Barley by Suppressing ROS Accumulation and Improving Antioxidant Defense Systems, Compared to Halo- and Gibberellin Priming.

Plants are highly sensitive to various environmental stresses, which can hinder their growth and reduce yields. In this study, we investigated the potential of seed priming with salicylic acid (SA), gibberellic acid (GA), and sodium chloride (NaCl) to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity stress in at the germination and early seedling stages. Exposing seeds to salt stress reduced the final germination percentage and seedling shoot and root growth.

Chemical profiling of maceration and decoction of L. organs and biological properties.

L. is a halophytic medicinal shrub traditionally used in the treatment of liver disorders. Leaf and flower infusions are widely used for anti-diarrheic and anti-inflammatory preparations.

Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of Tunisian medicinal .

The current study aimed to evaluate Tunisian Tamarix africana Poir biological activities. In this study, novel biological activities of the shoot extracts related to their phenolics investigated. Secondary metabolite contents, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of four extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water) were investigated.

In Vitro Activity of Two Novel Antimicrobial Compounds on MDR-Resistant Clinical Isolates.

The development of novel antibiotics is mandatory to curb the growing antibiotic resistance problem resulting in difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. Here, we have determined the spectrum of activity of cystobactamids and chelocardins, two novel and promising classes of molecules with different modes of action. A panel of 297 clinically relevant Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates with different antibiotic susceptibility profiles, going from wild type to multi- or even extremely drug resistant (MDR, XDR) and including carbapenem-resistant isolates, were tested using broth microdilution assays to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), MIC50s and MIC90s of two cystobactamids derivatives (CN-861-2 and CN-DM-861) and two chelocardin derivatives (CHD and CDCHD).

Encapsulation of Essential Oil into Mesoporous Silica Particles for the Enhancement of Their Activity against and Its Enniatins Production.

Essential oils (EOs) that have antifungal activity and mycotoxin reduction ability are candidates to develop bioactive alternatives and environmentally friendly treatment against Fusarium species in cereals. However, their practical use is facing limitations such as high volatility, UV sensitivity, and fast oxidation. Encapsulation techniques are supposed to provide protection to the EOs and control their release into the environment.

Antioxidant potentialities and gastroprotective effect of extracts on Ethanol/HCl induced gastric ulcer rats.

The goal of this study was to determine for the first time the polyphenol content, antioxidant, and gastroprotective properties of the roots and leaves of . TPC considerably varied as a function of organs and solvent nature and ranged from 50 to 284.80 mg GAE/g DW.

Evaluation of a new rapid immunochromatographic assay for the detection of GES-producing Gram-negative bacteria.

Background: As carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales are increasingly reported worldwide, their rapid detection is crucial to reduce their spread and prevent infections and outbreaks. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have become major tools for the detection of carbapenemases. However, as for most commercially available assays, only the five main carbapenemases are targeted.

Multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales responsible for septicaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit in Morocco.

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.

Evaluation of InTray Cassettes Directly from Blood Cultures for the Diagnosis of Sepsis in Clinical Bacteriology Laboratories as an Alternative to Classic Culture Media.

Culture media is fundamental in clinical bacteriology for the detection and isolation of bacterial pathogens. However, in-house media preparation could be challenging in low-resource settings. InTray cassettes (Biomed Diagnostics) could be a valid alternative as they are compact, ready-to-use media preparations.

Clinical Added Value of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detection in Blood Samples.

This study evaluated the performances of immunoassays (LFIA and ELISA) designed for SARS-CoV-2 Antigen (Ag)-detection in nasopharyngeal (NP) and serum samples in comparison to RT-PCR. NP samples from patients with respiratory symptoms (183 RT-PCR-positive and 74 RT-PCR-negative samples) were collected from March to April and November to December 2020. Seroconversion and antigen dynamics were assessed by symptom onset and day of RT-PCR diagnosis.