Analyzing Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria from Wastewater in Pakistan Using Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Wastewater is a major source of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (ARB) and a hotspot for the exchange of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes (ARGs). The occurrence of Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteria (CRB) in wastewater samples is a major public health concern. This study aimed to analyze Antibiotic resistance in bacteria from wastewater sources in Pakistan.

Punicalagin, a pomegranate polyphenol sensitizes the activity of antibiotics against three MDR pathogens of the Enterobacteriaceae.

Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in the family Enterobacteriaceae is a perniciously increasing threat to global health security. The discovery of new antimicrobials having the reversing drug resistance potential may contribute to augment and revive the antibiotic arsenal in hand. This study aimed to explore the anti-Enterobacteriaceae capability of bioactive polyphenols from Punica granatum (P.

Characterization of Biofilms and Antibiofilm Effect of Carvacrol and 2-Aminobenzimidazole.

Biofilm-associated foodborne infections in poultry have become increasingly challenging for veterinarians, particularly in developing countries, and warrant thorough investigation. We assessed the biofilm-forming tendency of poultry isolates of , namely Typhimurium ( = 23), Infantis ( = 28), and Heidelberg ( = 18), in nutrient-rich Rappaport-Vassiliadis Soya (RVS) peptone broth and nutrient-deficient diluted Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB). Seven of the tested isolates exhibited moderate biofilm formation in diluted TSB, whereas two showed such formation in RVS.

First Detection of Extensively Drug-Resistant Typhi Isolates Harboring and Genes for Carbapenem Resistance from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Rapid emergence of resistance in serovar Typhi ( Typhi) against most of the available therapeutic options for typhoid has rendered its treatment more difficult. This study sought to determine the current scenario of antimicrobial resistance in local isolates of Faisalabad following several treatment failure reports. Out of 300 clinical specimens collected in 2018, 45 isolates were identified as Typhi.

Nanogold morphologies with the same surface chemistry provoke a different innate immune response: An in-vitro and in-vivo study.

Gold nanomaterials (GNMs) have unique optical properties with less antigenicity, and their physicochemical properties have strong relation with an immunological response at bio-interface including antigenicity. An interpretation of this correlation would significantly impact on the clinical and theranostic applications of GNMs. Herein, we studied the effect of GNMs morphology on the cytotoxicity (in-vitro), innate immune responses, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity (in-vivo studies) using gold nano-cups (GNCs), porous gold nanospheres (PGNSs) and solid gold nano particles (SGNPs) coated with the same ligand to ensure similar surface chemistry.

Immunological characterization of chitosan adjuvanted outer membrane proteins of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi as multi-epitope typhoid vaccine candidate.

Background: Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Gram-negative bacteria have been known as potential vaccine targets due to their antigenic properties and host specificity. Here, we focused on the exploration of the immunogenic potential and protective efficacy of total OMPs of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi due to their multi epitope properties, adjuvanted with nanoporous chitosan particles (NPCPs). The study was designed to extrapolate an effective, low cost prophylactic approach for typhoid fever being getting uncontrolled in Pakistan due to emergence of extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains.

Biomarker Determinants of Early Anthracycline-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objective: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality amongst women. One of the most common chemotherapeutic agents used to treat breast cancer, anthracyclines, are associated with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (ACIC). The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the predictive performance of biomarkers for early ACIC presentation in the breast cancer population.

Designing Synergistic Biostimulants Formulation Containing Autochthonous Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria for Sustainable Wheat Production.

Applying phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as biofertilizers has enormous potential for sustainable agriculture. Despite this, there is still a lack of information regarding the expression of key genes related to phosphate-solubilization (PS) and efficient formulation strategies. In this study, we investigated rock PS by sp.

Detection of synergistic antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from post-operative wound infections.

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are life-threatening due to its synergistic resistance mechanisms resulting in the ineffectiveness of the used antimicrobials. This study aimed to characterize P. aeruginosa isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm formation virulence genes, and molecular mechanisms responsible for resistance against various antimicrobials.

Typhi from Northwest Pakistan: Molecular Strain Typing and Drug Resistance Signature.

To determine the molecular strain typing and drug resistance pattern of serovar Typhi prevalent in Northwest Pakistan. A total of 2,138 blood samples of suspected typhoid patients from Northwest Pakistan were collected followed by identification of Typhi through biochemical, serological, and species-specific gene amplification. These isolates were typed by variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) profiling and investigated for drug resistance.

Biallelic variants in PCDHGC4 cause a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome with progressive microcephaly, seizures, and joint anomalies.

Purpose: We aimed to define a novel autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder, characterize its clinical features, and identify the underlying genetic cause for this condition.

Methods: We performed a detailed clinical characterization of 19 individuals from nine unrelated, consanguineous families with a neurodevelopmental disorder. We used genome/exome sequencing approaches, linkage and cosegregation analyses to identify disease-causing variants, and we performed three-dimensional molecular in silico analysis to predict causality of variants where applicable.

A GDF5 frameshift mutation segregating with Grebe type chondrodysplasia and brachydactyly type C+ in a 6 generations family: Clinical report and mini review.

Different mutations in the Growth/Differentiation Factor 5 gene (GDF5) have been associated with varying types of skeletal dysplasia, including Grebe type chondrodysplasia (GTC), Hunter-Thompson syndrome, Du Pan Syndrome and Brachydactyly type C (BDC). Heterozygous pathogenic mutations exert milder effects, whereas homozygous mutations are known to manifest more severe phenotypes. In this study, we report a GDF5 frameshift mutation (c.

Detection and characterization of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis as an emerging threat in poultry farms of Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Aims: The aim of this study was the molecular identification of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) isolated from poultry samples and their antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiling.

Methods And Results: A total of 149 isolates, belonging to genus Salmonella, originally isolated from 340 suspected poultry post mortem specimens reported by us earlier were preliminary identified as Salmonella by biochemical methods and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting genus-specific gene invA.

Association of biofilm formation and cytotoxic potential with multidrug resistance in clinical isolates of .

Multidrug resistant (MDR) having strong biofilm potential and virulence factors are a serious threat for hospitalized patients having compromised immunity. In this study, 34 isolates of human origin (17 MDR and 17 non-MDR clinical isolates) were checked for biofilm formation potential in enriched and minimal media. The biofilms were detected using crystal violet method and a modified software package of the automated VideoScan screening method.

Virulotyping of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates from Pakistan: Absence of complete SPI-10 in Vi negative isolates.

The pathogenesis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), the cause of typhoid fever in humans, is mainly attributed to the acquisition of horizontally acquired DNA elements. Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) are indubitably the most important form of horizontally acquired DNA with respect to pathogenesis of this bacterium.

Multiple Drug Resistance and Virulence Profiling of Salmonella enterica Serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis from Poultry Farms of Faisalabad, Pakistan.

The zoonotic serovars of Salmonella enterica particularly Typhimurium and Enteritidis pose a continuous global threat to poultry industry and public health. We report the prevalence of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis serovars in local poultry, phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profiling, and molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. A total of 340 clinical samples were collected and 239 carried Salmonella, which were identified by genus-specific PCR (invA gene) and by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight.

Hollow mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanostructures; smart nanocarriers with high drug loading and controlled releasing features.

We report the development of effective drug loaded nanocarriers to combat multidrug resistant infection especially in case of osteomyelitis. The hollow mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (hmHANPs) and solid/non-hollow hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (sHANPs) were synthesized by core-shell and co-precipitation techniques respectively. High encapsulation of the drug (ciprofloxacin) was observed in hmHANPs as compared to sHANPs, which may be due to the hollow porous structure of hmHANPs.

Homozygous mutation in the NPHP3 gene causing foetal nephronophthisis.

We present a case of a foetal sonographic finding of hyper-echogenic kidneys, which led to a strategic series of genetic tests and identified a homozygous mutation (c.424C > T, p. R142*) in the NPHP3 gene.

Molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance in local isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis from urinary tract infections in Faisalabad region of Pakistan.

Staphylococci are one of the foremost causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in humans. The emergence of multiple drug resistance (MDR) among Staphylococci poses serious challenges in antimicrobial therapy for UTIs. Most work has been done on S.