Coexistence of a novel NDM-1-encoding MDR plasmid and an IMP-4-encoding IncN-IncU hybrid plasmid in a clinical isolate of BC73.

Objectives: To investigate the genetic characteristics and transmission mechanism of the NDM-1-, IMP-4-, and SHV-12-producing multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolate, BC73.

Methods: BC73 was isolated from a urine specimen of a urological patient diagnosed with bladder cancer at a Chinese teaching hospital. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using DL-120E susceptibility cards and DL-96A system.

Rapid detection and quantification of melamine, urea, sucrose, water, and milk powder adulteration in pasteurized milk using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with modern statistical machine learning algorithms.

There is an evident requirement for a rapid, efficient, and simple method to screen the authenticity of milk products in the market. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy stands out as a promising solution. This work employed FTIR spectroscopy and modern statistical machine learning algorithms for the identification and quantification of pasteurized milk adulteration.

Possible Alternatives: Identifying and Quantifying Adulteration in Buffalo, Goat, and Camel Milk Using Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Modern Statistical Machine Learning Methods.

Adulteration of higher priced milks with cheaper ones to obtain extra profit can adversely affect consumer health and the market. In this study, pure buffalo milk (BM), goat milk (GM), camel milk (CM), and their mixtures with 5-50% (vol/vol) cow milk or water were used. Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) combined with modern statistical machine learning was used for the discrimination and quantification of cow milk or water adulteration in BM, GM, and CM.

Engineering the crystal facets of α-MnO nanorods for electrochemical energy storage: experiments and theory.

Crystal facet engineering is an effective strategy for precisely regulating the orientations and electrochemical properties of metal oxides. However, the contribution of each crystal facet to pseudocapacitance is still puzzling, which is a bottleneck that restricts the specific capacitance of metal oxides. Herein, α-MnO nanorods with different exposed facets were synthesized through a hydrothermal route and applied to pseudocapacitors.

Experimental and theoretical evaluation of crystal facet exposure on the charge transfer and SERS activity of ZnO films.

Semiconductors exhibit great potential as a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate due to their low cost, good stability and biocompatibility. However, the extensive application of semiconductors has been restricted by their intrinsically low SERS sensitivity. It is urgently required to design uniform metal oxide substrates with enhanced charge transfer and SERS activity.

Comparative genomic characterization of multidrug-resistant Citrobacter spp. strains in Fennec fox imported to China.

Background: To investigate the antimicrobial profiles and genomic characteristics of MDR-Citrobacter spp. strains isolated from Fennec fox imported from Sudan to China.

Methods: Four Citrobacter spp.

Emergence of IMP-8-Producing Causing Urinary Tract Infection in China.

The emergence of carbapenem resistance (CR) caused by hydrolytic enzymes called carbapenemases has become a major concern worldwide. So far, CR genes have been widely detected in various bacteria. However, there is no report of CR gene harboring .

Oral Microbiome in Patients with Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

To investigate the oral microflora of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), saliva samples were collected from 20 patients with ESCC and 21 healthy controls. The V3-V4 region of 16S rDNA was amplified and sequenced by the Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform. The final sequences were used for OTU analysis.

Emergence and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Carrying in Fennec Fox Imported from Sudan to China.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and genomic characteristics of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing (ESBL-EC) in fennec fox imported from Sudan to China. We screened 88 fecal samples from fennec fox for ESBL-EC, using cefotaxime- and meropenem-supplemented selective medium. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the agar dilution method except for colistin and tigecycline; for colistin and tigecycline, testing was conducted by the broth microdilution method.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on anxiety and sympathetic-adrenal medulla system in rats with insomnia].

Objective: To explore the action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on insomnia.

Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an EA group, 10 cases in each group. The insomnia model was made by immobilization method in the model group and EA group.

[Acupuncture and stress].

The relationship between acupuncture and stress is discussed from three aspects, including is it possible for acupuncture stimulation to be a stressor, whether acupuncture will start stress reaction, and whether acupuncture effects contain some stress factors. It is believed that correct acupuncture manipulation will not cause stress response, however, under some circumstances, such as inaccurate manipulation, improper treatment or patients who are very nervous but do not receive effective intervention, acupuncture is likely to cause stress response. Acupuncture-induced stress response is totally different from acupuncture anti-stress.