Carriage of distinct blaKPC-2 and blaOXA-48 plasmids in a single ST11 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate in Egypt

Background Carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) causes serious infections with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the epidemiology and transmission mechanisms of CR-hvKP and the corresponding carbapenem-resistant plasmids require further investigation. Herein, we have characterized an ST11 K. pneumoniae strain EBSI041 from the blood sample encoding both hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance phenotypes from a patient in Egypt. Results K. pneumoniae strain EBSI041 showed multidrug-resistance phenotypes, where it was highly resistant to almost all tested antibiotics including carbapenems. And hypervirulence phenotypes of EBSI041 was confirmed by the model of Galleria mellonella infection. Whole-genome sequencing analysis showed that the hybrid plasmid pEBSI041-1 carried a set of virulence factors rmpA, rmpA2, iucABCD and iutA, and six resistance genes aph(3′)-VI, armA, msr(E), mph(E), qnrS, and sul2. Besides, blaOXA-48 and blaSHV-12 were harboured in a novel conjugative IncL-type plasmid pEBSI041-2. The blaKPC-2-carrying plasmid pEBSI041-3, a non-conjugative plasmid lacking the conjugative transfer genes, could be transferred with the help of pEBSI041-2, and the two plasmids could fuse into a new plasmid during co-transfer. Moreover, the emergence of the p16HN-263_KPC-like plasmids is likely due to the integration of pEBSI041-3 and pEBSI041-4 via IS26-mediated rearrangement. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the complete genome sequence of KPC-2- and OXA-48-coproducing hypervirulent K. pneumoniae from Egypt. These results give new insights into the adaptation and evolution of K. pneumoniae during nosocomial infections.

The Pharmacological Rationales and Molecular Mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides for the Therapeutic Applications of Multiple Diseases

As a versatile Chinese herb, Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst (G. lucidum) has been applied to treat multiple diseases in clinics and improve the quality of life of patients. Among all of its extracts, the main bioactive components are G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs), which possess many therapeutic effects, such as antitumor, immunoregulatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and neuroprotection activities. This review briefly summarized the recent studies of the pharmacological rationales of GLPs and their underlying molecular signaling transmission mechanisms in treating diseases. Until now, the clear mechanisms of GLPs for treating diseases have not been reported. In this review, we used the keywords of “Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides” and “tumor” to search in PubMed (years of 1992–2020), then screened and obtained 160 targets of antitumor activities in the literatures. The network pharmacology and mechanism framework were employed in this study as powerful approaches to systematically analyze the complicated potential antitumor mechanisms and targets of GLPs in cancer. We then found that there are 69 targets and 21 network pathways in “Pathways in cancer”. Besides, we summarized the effects of GLPs and the models and methods used in the research of GLPs. In conclusion, GLPs have been studied extensively, but more in-depth research is still needed to determine the exact mechanisms and pathways. Therefore, this review might provide new insights into the vital targets and pathways for researchers to study the pharmacological mechanisms of GLPs for the treatment of diseases.

Research of Mechanical Resonance Analysis and Suppression Control Method of the Servo Drive System

Transmission mechanisms of the servo drive system are not a pure rigid body, and the existence of the elastic transmission mechanisms will make the system generate mechanical resonance. Aiming at mechanical resonance of the servo drive system, the resonance generation mechanism is analyzed, the four-mass model considering the time-varying meshing stiffness of the gear is established, and the influence of different stiffness parameters on the mechanical resonance of the system is researched in this paper. The composite controller of Model Predictive Control (MPC) with Notch Filter is used to simulate the mechanical resonance suppression of the four-mass servo system considering time-varying meshing stiffness, and it is compared with the mechanical resonance suppression method based on Model Predictive Control. The simulation results show that when the step speed is 200 r/min, the overshoot is reduced from 11.6 r/min to 1.1 r/min, which is reduced by 90.5%. Under the impact load condition, from 10 Nm to 30 Nm, overshoot is reduced from 34.3 r/min to 12.8 r/min, reduced by 62%, and torque oscillation is reduced by 81.5%. Therefore, the composite controller of Model Predictive Control with Notch Filter can suppress the mechanical resonance problem effectively, caused by elastic transmission, and improve the robustness of servo drive system.

Research on the psychological root and transmission mechanism of rumours in major epidemics based on the perspective of psychoanalysis

Since the Covid-19 epidemic, many rumours have been generated under the main theme of a whole people fighting the epidemic together. From the standpoint of depth psychology, a psychoanalytic perspective has its own advantages and unique research value on the psychological roots of rumours in major epidemics and their mechanisms of transmission, which this article discusses, along with the anxiety and fear created by the life instinct, the elements of attack and projection under the death instinct, and conjectures how the role of Lacan’s postulation that the unconscious is constituted like language all play a role as main causes of a current epidemic of rumours. The transmission mechanisms of epidemic rumours are the following: the spreading of panic caused by the interruption of emotional connection, aggressive spreading of rumours caused by hostility in processes of identification, and problems in mechanisms of projective identification, and the combined effect of audiovisual media. Furthermore, the authors make specific suggestions on how to deal with rumours in major epidemics, so as to improve understanding and response to these in cases of major epidemics.

Potential of citrus extract as disinfectant in SARS-CoV-2 prevention

<p>SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, responsible for the second pandemic of the 21st century. This virus has caused a health emergency due to its rapid transmission and high mortality rate. The use of disinfectants of chemical origin has increased considerably to avoid contamination by SARS-CoV-2 but when used incorrectly they can pose a health risk. Citrus-based extracts have shown effectiveness in controlling the development of fungi and bacteria in<em> in vitro</em> and <em>in situ</em> studies. In <em>in vitro</em> cell assays, citrus extracts are effective in controlling the replication of disease-causing viruses. The objective of this review is to describe the problem of COVID-19, its transmission mechanisms, the use of chemical disinfectants and citrus extracts to control microorganisms and its suggested use as a complement in COVID-19 prevention. The use of citrus extracts has certain advantages such as biodegradability and low health risks. Thus, they could be a viable alternative to be used as a complement in the management and prevention of the spread of SARS-CoV-2.</p>

Synthesis of multi-input multi-degree-of-freedom fixed shaft gear transmission configuration for vehicles

The rapid development of dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and hybrid and purely electric vehicles stimulate the researches on multi-input fixed shaft gear transmission mechanisms. The multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) transmission mechanism can achieve a wider range of speed ratio adjustment and more modes under certain space and weight constraints, which is an ideal choice for multi gear transmission. In this paper, a synthesis method of fixed shaft gear transmission configuration is proposed. Based on the established graph theory model, kinematic characteristics of the fixed shaft gear transmission configuration are studied and the shift sequence is determined. Using these characteristics, a derivation method from the basic configuration to the comprehensive gears and shafts configuration is proposed. Multiple parameters such as the synchronizer arrangement and speed ratios are optimized. Finally, the proposed method is vigorously verified by a seven-speed DCT with four DOFs. This method is comprehensive and systematic in designing fixed shaft gear transmission configurations, which can be applied to DCT, transmissions for parallel hybrid electric vehicles, and to some novel multi-input transmissions.

Evaluation of sanitary waste generated by the care of COVID patients, in the Jipijapa Basic Hospital

In the current moments in which the world population lives related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a pandemic that has affected all countries worldwide, can only be contained based on the strategies taken by the entire population where hospitals play a fundamental role in mitigation and community transmission. The Jipijapa Basic Hospital is a health institution that has cared for patients infected with this disease. The objective of this research is to find out if the Environmental Risk Management system is complied with in the hospital center, fundamentally-oriented towards compliance with the regulations that regulate the management of sanitary waste in health establishments, in such a way that contamination to personnel is not produced. that works on the site, thereby allowing better environmental conditions to be achieved, mitigating the disease and its transmission mechanisms. For the study, a diagnosis was made on the initial management of sanitary waste, generated in health establishments by the care of COVID-19 patients, in addition to the observation and application of surveys to administrative personnel of the hospital. It was obtained as a result that the workers know and comply with the regulations for the collection of hazardous solid waste within the hospital.

Design of Laparoscopic Executive Instruments for Robots

The main objective of this work is focused on improving some technical deficiencies of existing laparoscopic executive instruments to robots. For this reason two main problems have been overtaken: i) to perform a kinematic-structural analysis of existing executive instruments by structural and kinematic criteria, to estimate their engineering characteristics, motivating the need to develop new ones and ii) to develop functionally operating model of an executive tool, with simplified kinematics of actuation of end-effectors, with higher reliability and easier support of the sterility of the instrument. In contrast to daVinchi robot system which includes structures with three orthogonal rotations this study describes other decision with combination of perpendicular and parallel rotations. The design is simplified, no additional transmission mechanisms of the executive links are required, which in turn facilitates the process of control of the device and proved higher reliability.