Massive Sequencing of V3-V4 Hypervariable Region in Pyogenic Liver Abscesses Reveals the Presence of Unusual Bacteria Not Detected by Classical Culture Methods.

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) are serious infections in which doctors often fail in identifying the causative agent due to microbiological limitations. These limitations in detecting uncommon pathogens complicate the treatment and recovery. Molecular techniques, like massive sequencing, enable the detection of uncommon pathogens and highlight the shortcomings of traditional cultures.

Evaluation of a Commercial Multiplex Real-Time PCR with Melting Curve Analysis for the Detection of Complex and Five Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Species.

Background: Accurate and timely diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, including complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), is crucial for effective disease management.

Methods: This study evaluated the performance of the NeoPlex TB/NTM-5 Detection Kit (NeoPlex assay, Seongnam, Republic of Korea), a multiplex real-time PCR assay that incorporates melting curve analysis, compared with the line-probe assay (LPA). The NeoPlex assay could simultaneously detect and differentiate MTBC from five other NTM species: , , , , and .

Comparative Analysis of Meat Quality and Hindgut Microbiota of Cultured and Wild Bighead Carp (, Richardson 1845) from the Yangtze River Area.

Wild fish are often considered more nutritionally valuable than cultured fish. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the gut microbiota and meat quality through the gut-muscle axis. Therefore, cultured and wild bighead carp (, Richardson 1845) from the Yangtze River were investigated to compare the differences in the meat quality and gut microbiota composition.

Population Genetics of in China Inferred Through EST-SSR Markers.

Background/objectives: The Pacific abalone originated in cold waters and is an economically important aquaculture shellfish in China. Our goal was to clarify the current status of the genetic structure of Pacific abalone in China.

Methods: In this study, eighteen polymorphic EST-SSR loci were successfully developed based on the hemolymph transcriptome data of Pacific abalone, and thirteen highly polymorphic EST-SSR loci were selected for the genetic variation analysis of the six populations collected.

Antibiotic Prescription Practice and Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Isolates from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study from Jordan.

: Neonatal sepsis is a systemic inflammation in neonates caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can progress into severe conditions. In developing countries, neonatal sepsis is a major cause of mortality and a major public health issue with a high prevalence. This study aims to evaluate the antibiotic prescription practice and resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the largest governmental hospital in Amman, Jordan.

Antimicrobial Potential of Secalonic Acids from Arctic-Derived INA 01369.

In this study, two compounds have been isolated from the Arctic-derived fungus INA 13460. Structural elucidation, performed using 2D NMR and HR-ESIMS data, has identified the compounds as stereoisomers of secalonic acids, dimeric tetrahydroxanthones. The absolute configurations of these stereoisomers have been determined through conformational NMR analysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Emerging Resistance and Virulence Patterns in : Insights into Silver Nanoparticles as an Antimicrobial Strategy.

Background/objectives: This study aims to characterize antibiotic resistance (AR) and virulence markers in spp. isolated from Romanian outpatients' stool samples.

Methods: In 2019, community-acquired strains were collected and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, antibiotic susceptibility profiles have been determined with the MicroScan system, and soluble virulence factors were evaluated using specific culture media, while biofilm formation was quantified in 96-well plates.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm-Forming Ability in ESBL-Producing and Non-ESBL-Producing and Isolated from Canine Urinary Samples from Italy.

In dogs, bacterial urinary tract infections are a frequent cause of antimicrobial prescription, increasing the risk of selecting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study analyzed resistance patterns, the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and biofilm-forming capacity in and previously isolated from urine samples collected from 133 selected dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Milan, Italy, in 2021 and 2023. : The and isolates were bacteriologically and genetically analyzed.

Clinical Characteristics, Pathogen Distribution, and Factors Affecting Visual Outcomes of Pediatric Post-Traumatic Endophthalmitis.

This study aimed to investigate the etiology, pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility, treatments, and factors influencing the visual prognosis of pediatric post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE) to provide valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. A total of 301 children were included, with 142 (47.2%) cultures yielding positive results.

Characterization of Urine-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells from Healthy Dogs and Dogs Affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Urine-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (USCs) could be a valuable source of cells in regenerative medicine because urine can be easily collected non-invasively. In this paper, USCs were isolated from both healthy dogs and dogs affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the efficacy of collection methods (spontaneous micturition, bladder catheterization, and cystocentesis) were compared. Isolated cells were cultured in the presence of platelet-rich plasma and studied for their proliferative capacity (growth curve, doubling time, and colony forming unit), differentiation properties, expression of mesenchymal markers, and Klotho protein.

Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Youths Living in Rural and Semi-Urban Albania in the Ongoing Nutrition Transition: Preliminary Results.

Background: Albania is undergoing a demographic, epidemiological, and nutrition transition leading to an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among new generations. Comprehensive studies on the nutritional status and dietary patterns of youths in the country are still lacking.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of students (10-18 years) attending secondary schools in rural and semi-urban areas (October-November 2024).

The Combinational Effect of Enhanced Infection Control Measures and Targeted Clinical Metagenomics Surveillance on the Burden of Endemic Carbapenem and Other β-Lactam Resistance Among Severely Ill Pediatric Patients.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as one of the most important global public health threats. There is an urgent need to reduce the spread of these multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR-B), particularly in extremely vulnerable patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether targeted gene amplification performed directly on clinical samples can be used simultaneously with a bundle of enhanced infection control measures in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) endemic to MDR-B.

Assessing the Risks and Cultural Relativity of Diabetes in Black Individuals of African Caribbean Ancestry (ACB) Aged 18-39 Years in Toronto.

Diabetes rates are high in Black and some other ethnic communities, often leading to more severe complications. We conducted a study to identify the prevalence and risk of diabetes among African Caribbean Black (ACB) individuals aged 18-39 and to assess the sensitivity of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) compared to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to diagnose diabetes. In this mixed-methods study, maximum variation sampling was used to recruit 272 ACB participants from fourteen African and five Caribbean countries from Toronto.

Investigating Aerobic Hive Microflora: Role of Surface Microbiome of Apis Mellifera.

This study investigated the surface microbiome of the honeybee (), focusing on the diversity and functional roles of its associated microbial communities. While the significance of the microbiome to insect health and behavior is increasingly recognized, research on invertebrate surface microbiota lags behind that of vertebrates. A combined metagenomic and cultivation-based approach was employed to characterize the bacterial communities inhabiting the honeybee exoskeleton.

The Role of Aquaculture in Shaping the Morphology of : A Comparative Study of Cultured and Wild Populations.

Background: With the rapid expansion of aquaculture, the impact of rearing environments on the morphological characteristics of marine species has become a critical research focus. This study investigates the morphological differences between wild and cultured populations of , a commercially valuable marine mollusk, to understand how aquaculture environments influence morphological traits.

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the morphological variance between wild and cultured populations using multivariate statistical techniques and to analyze the ecological implications of these differences.

Lactic Acid Bacteria from Northern Thai (Lanna) Fermented Foods: A Promising Source of Probiotics with Applications in Synbiotic Formulation.

Northern Thai culture offers a rich variety of traditional fermented foods beneficial for gastrointestinal health. In this study, we characterized lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various indigenous fermented foods as potential probiotic candidates and determined their properties for application in commercial synbiotic formulation. Five isolates demonstrating high tolerance to low pH (2.

Exploring Product Innovation and Consumer Attitudes in Molecular Gastronomy: Marketing Insights for the Gourmet Food Industry.

The increasing popularity of social media and the growth of gourmet food culture have elevated molecular gastronomy as a unique dining experience that enhances consumers' perceptions of value through innovative food presentation and sensory marketing strategies. This study investigates consumer acceptance of molecular gastronomy by utilizing the value-attitude-behavior (VAB) model and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). We examine the interplay between utilitarian and hedonic values, product innovation, and sensory stimulation to understand consumer reactions and attitudes toward molecular gastronomy.

Seasonal Determination of Antibiotic-Resistant Microorganisms and Ciprofloxacin Residues in Pork and Chicken Meats Collected from Fresh Markets in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are usually found in food-producing animals worldwide. Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic, can lead to antibiotic residues in food products, posing health risks to consumers and contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Foodborne illnesses occur when adequate attention is not paid to food hygiene and safety, raising the potential for resistant bacteria to spread to humans through the food chain.

Co-Creating Snacks: A Cross-Cultural Study with Mediterranean Children Within the DELICIOUS Project.

Mediterranean diet adherence has been decreasing during the last few decades, and non-appropriate snacking habits have also been identified among Mediterranean children and adolescents. To co-create new snacks and to explore children's interests and preferences, a multi-method approach was used in the present study, including some qualitative and quantitative research phases. Conducted in collaboration with schools in Lebanon, Egypt, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, different snack prototypes were designed and tested in a Mediterranean cross-cultural context.

Understanding the psychological pathways to translation technology competence: emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and innovation capability among EFL students.

Background: The accelerated advancement of information technology and artificial intelligence in the modern globalized world has necessitated a high level of technology competence from translators to adapt to the increasing needs of clients and the language industry. Prior research indicated that emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and innovation capability independently affected students' translation competence. However, no research has investigated how these psychological factors influence student translators' proficiency in translation technology.

Genome sequence resources for three strains of the genus Clonostachys.

Objective: Clonostachys, a genus with rich morphological and ecological diversity in Bionectriaceae, has a wide distribution among diverse habitats. Several studies have reported Clonostachys fungi as effective biological agents against multiple fungal plant pathogens. To clarify the diversity and biocontrol mechanisms of the Clonostachys fungi, this study was undertaken to sequence and assemble the genomes of two C.

The cell colony development is connected with the accumulation of embryogenesis-related proteins and dynamic distribution of cell wall components in in vitro cultures of Fagopyrum tataricum and Fagopyrum esculentum.

Background: Due to the totipotency of plant cells, which allows them to reprogram from a differentiated to a dedifferentiated state, plants exhibit a remarkable regenerative capacity, including under in vitro culture conditions. When exposed to plant hormones, primarily auxins and cytokinins, explant cells cultured in vitro can undergo differentiation through callus formation. Protoplast culture serves as a valuable research model for studying these processes in detail.

Rapid detection of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in positive blood cultures via MALDI-TOF MS and tree-based machine learning models.

Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a systemic infection that predisposes individuals to sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Early identification of infectious agents and determination of drug-resistant phenotypes can help patients with BSI receive timely, effective, and targeted treatment and improve their survival. This study was based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Extremely Randomized Trees (ERT) models were constructed to classify carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP).

[Knockdown of promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To initially investigate the function of neuronal pentraxin 1 () gene on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs).

Methods: hBMSCs were induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation, and then RNA was collected at different time points, namely 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14 d. The mRNA expression levels of key genes related with osteogenic differentiation, including runt-related transcription factor 2 (), alkaline phosphatase (), osteocalcin (), and , were detected on the basis of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology.