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Acral melanoma (AM) is a non-ultraviolet (non-UV)-derived subtype of cutaneous melanoma that is associated with worse survival outcomes compared to UV-driven melanomas. AM tumors exhibit distinct molecular characteristics and poor responses to immune checkpoint blockade. Hitherto, the role of transposable elements (TEs), particularly human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), in AM progression remains incompletely characterized. We quantified locus-specific TE expression from RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of 36 AM samples from 33 patients and integrated the results with clinical outcomes, a pathologist-reviewed purity covariate, and immune cell deconvolution. A three-locus HERV signature, composed of ERV316A3_6p25.1d, HERVH_6q21a, and ERVLE_9q21.32c, stratified AM tumors by overall survival with a leave-one-patient-out C-index of 0.778 (bootstrap 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.614-0.914, permutation p = 0.015) and a Kaplan-Meier log-rank of p = 0.003 across risk tertiles. In a multivariable Cox model adjusted for primary site, tumor cellularity pathology, sex, ulceration, and Breslow depth, with patient-clustered robust standard errors, the signature remained strongly prognostic (HR: 2.19 per 1-standard deviation [s.d.] increase in risk score, 95% CI: 1.38-3.47, p = 0.001). High-risk tumors were natural killer (NK)-cell-depleted (Spearman ρ = -0.58, false discovery rate [FDR] p = 0.004) and showed coordinated elevation of LIN28A and HMGA2 (ρ = +0.55 and +0.45), consistent with reactivation of the LIN28A/let-7/HMGA2 oncofetal axis rather than a full pluripotency program. High-risk tumors were also associated with reduced odds ratio of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy (OR: 0.20 per 1-s.d. increase, p = 0.075), whereas reported mutation burden was not (OR: 1.02, p = 0.80), consistent with the unexplained low-TMB checkpoint responders previously reported in this cohort. A single locus, HML6_20p11.21, retained a full 9.14 kb proviral structure and a 333-aa open reading frame (ORF) with intact integrase, protease, and gag motifs. Peptide-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) binding predictions identified strong HML6-derived binders for every HLA class I allele in the typed cohort, and at least one strong binder in all 25 typed patients. Our findings reframe AM as a transcriptomically stratifiable disease, define a locus-specific HERV signature of aggressive, checkpoint-refractory AM, and nominate a structurally intact, pan-HLA-presentable HERV-K antigen candidate for further evaluation.

Nation-scale social networks derived from administrative registers create new possibilities for longitudinal social science, but they also impose substantial infrastructure demands. This paper documents the infrastructural requirements underlying the construction and use of node embeddings for a dynamic, multiplex population network covering the entire population of the Netherlands. The network consists of roughly 17 million individuals connected by more than one billion typed relations across family, household, neighborhood, workplace, and education layers, with annual snapshots available since 2009 The analysis requires secure access to highly sensitive administrative microdata, scalable storage for multi-year billion-edge graphs, and high-performance compute capable of executing random-walk-based embedding algorithms at population scale. Temporal analysis introduces further demands: embeddings must be aligned across years into a common latent space without leaking future information, requiring repeated large-scale linear transformations over tens of millions of vectors. Downstream use of embeddings amplifies these requirements. Integrating network-derived representations with administrative and survey data for prediction tasks depends on reliable data linkage, consistent identifiers, and reproducible pipelines. Transforming continuous embeddings into balanced, reusable features through whitening and Fibonacci-based equipartitioning requires memory-efficient linear algebra and stable execution environments. By foregrounding these infrastructural dependencies, the presentation demonstrates that population-scale embedding analysis depends on tightly integrated systems for secure data access, storage, computation, and reproducibility. The contribution is therefore not only methodological, but architectural: it provides a concrete illustration of the infrastructure stack required to turn whole-population networks into longitudinal, reusable research assets for the social sciences.

The detection of counter-speech on social media is heavily dependent on the conversational context, particularly in low-resource and code-mixed languages. This article presents a dataset of 10,021 contextual comment pairs extracted from political discussions on Bangladeshi YouTube channels. The dataset captures native Bengali script, fully Romanized Bengali ("Banglish"), and hybrid code-mixed sentences. Each instance consists of a parent comment and a corresponding nested reply, annotated manually by native speakers to indicate the presence or absence of counter-speech. Replies that actively dispute, correct, or challenge the parent text with a logical counter-narrative are labeled as '1' (Counter-Speech), while replies indicating agreement, off-topic remarks, or non-argumentative insults are labeled as '0' (Non-Counter Speech). The dataset underwent rigorous preprocessing, including the removal of URLs, user tags, and emojis, alongside the normalization of English characters. This dataset provides a foundational resource for training and evaluating natural language processing (NLP) models in understanding contextual political discourse in South Asian code-mixed environments. By preserving the direct link between a baseline statement and its response, the data allows researchers to move beyond isolated sentence classification and study actual dialogic structures. It specifically targets the acute shortage of resources for analyzing informal, phonetically typed regional dialects. Consequently, machine learning practitioners and social scientists can utilize this collection to benchmark text classifiers, test large language models (LLMs) on South Asian discourse, and explore algorithmic moderation strategies in highly polarized online spaces.

Recipient alloimmunization remains the most frequent adverse effect of transfusion therapy. Routine transfusion decisions rely heavily on clinician judgment and informal rules, which limit consistency and reproducibility. Current transfusion decision-making practices do not systematically integrate patient-specific clinical and immunohematologic factors, phenotype-level requirements, and inventory constraints within a coherent framework. This study introduces a recipient-centered integrative model that unifies patient-group-based matching criteria, quantitative compatibility scoring, and phenotype-based inventory curation to support transfusion practices aimed at reducing alloimmunization risk. The ImmunoHematology Framework (IHF) uses demographic, clinical, and laboratory data to define phenotype-based matching requirements. It quantifies recipient-donor compatibility, calculates the degree of phenotype match using all available antigen information, and ranks recipient-unit pairs for selection and allocation. IHF also classifies donor phenotypes to support curation of refrigerated and frozen inventories. The framework was operationally evaluated as an integrated system, including its quantitative compatibility logic, using de-identified operational data and curated demonstration cases across routine and rare scenarios. The IHF model produced extended phenotype matching outcomes (≥14 antigens) that demonstrated improved compatibility recommendations compared with clinician selections in the pilot evaluation, with complete agreement in 59% of cases, moderate deviation in 18%, and significant deviation in 23%. Matching 327 fully typed donors to 27 patients requiring extended antigen compatibility revealed a subset with substantially broader compatibility (median 9 vs. 4 recipients), identifying these units as candidates for long-term frozen storage. IHF formalizes recipient-specific transfusion risk associated with phenotype mismatch and quantitative compatibility as a computable construct the framework demonstrates how its logic, scoring method, donor unit allocation process, and phenotype-based inventory curation can be operationalized in real-world transfusion practice, with reproducibility confirmed by a functioning prototype.

HR-positive HER2-low-expressing breast cancer is a unique subtype that has been refined from the traditional HER2 binary classification system in recent years, accounting for nearly 60% of the overall incidence of breast cancer. It has significant value for precise diagnosis and treatment research. This review systematically elaborates on the epidemiological characteristics, biological basis, diagnostic technology progress, and treatment strategy evolution of this subtype. HR-positive HER2-low-expressing breast cancer is characterized by the dominance of the estrogen receptor pathway and the core molecular feature of the intersection of HER2 low-expression signals. Its diagnosis requires a balance between the fundamental role of endocrine therapy and the precise screening of anti-HER2 targeted therapy. In terms of diagnosis, the initial screening by immunohistochemistry combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization has formed a standardized process. The integration of digital pathology, next-generation sequencing, and circulating tumor DNA in liquid biopsy technologies has effectively improved diagnostic accuracy and dynamic monitoring capabilities. In terms of treatment, endocrine therapy is the cornerstone, and the CDK4/6 inhibitor combination regimen is the standard for advanced first-line treatment. Antibody-drug conjugates, especially deruxtecan, have significantly improved patient prognosis and reshaped the treatment landscape. In summary, HR-positive HER2-low-expressing breast cancer has entered the era of individualized precise treatment guided by molecular typing. In the future, further exploration of new biomarkers, optimization of combination therapy strategies, and high-quality clinical research are needed to continuously improve patient survival outcomes.

Anthrax is an endemic and undercharacterized zoonotic disease in the Middle East, including Jordan. Between 2018 and 2020, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of 13 confirmed anthrax outbreaks in Jordan, analyzing 822 samples from animal farm environments, including carcasses, asymptomatic livestock, and abiotic environmental surfaces. All samples were tested by qPCR targeting the chromosomal marker (ba177) and the plasmid marker pXO1 (pag). Among carcass samples, 75/195 (38.5%) were ba177-positive, of which 81% harbored the pXO1. Of specimens from live-animals and from environmental surfaces, 218/627 (35%) were positive by qPCR, likely reflecting environmental contamination during active outbreak periods. Serological analysis using anti-protective antigen (PA) ELISA revealed a high seroprevalence of 53% (75/141) among asymptomatic animals, indicating widespread sub-clinical exposure to B. anthracis antigens and previously undocumented endemicity. An integrated approach combining qPCR with ELISA demonstrated that 11% of seropositive animals with paired swab testing also yielded swab samples that were positive by qPCR, suggesting environment-to-host transition. Molecular strain typing using canonical SNP (canSNP) analysis identified the rare sublineage C.USA.A1055 within lineage C.Br.A1005 across two distinct outbreaks, suggesting the environmental persistence of this endemic lineage. Overall, our findings provide the first systematic molecular and serological surveillance baseline data for Jordan, demonstrating a complex genomic persistence and subclinical exposure landscape. This study suggests the need for enhanced surveillance strategies under the One Health framework to mitigate the risk of anthrax endemicity.

Outbreaks of acute infectious conjunctivitis can spread rapidly in overcrowded communities and healthcare settings. Sudan's armed conflict has increased displacement, crowding, water insecurity, and barriers to healthcare access. A facility- and camp-based cross-sectional study included 417 consecutive patients with acute conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis who presented to participating ophthalmic services and internally displaced persons' settings in Kassala State, Sudan, from 15 August 2024 to 15 December 2024. Demographic, environmental, behavioural, clinical, treatment, and follow-up data were collected using a structured form. Diagnosis was clinical; laboratory viral typing was not performed. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multivariable regression models were used as appropriate. Among 417 patients, 231 (55.4%) were female, and 353 (84.7%) lived in urban areas. Inadequate water/sanitation access was recorded in 125 (30.0%), a dusty environment in 224 (53.7%), a dirty environment in 317 (76.0%), a crowded environment in 223 (53.5%), and contact with a symptomatic person in 353 (84.7%). The most frequent symptoms were itching or burning (94.2%), redness (89.4%), foreign-body sensation (81.1%), eye pain (63.1%), and lid oedema (60.0%). The most frequent signs were conjunctival injection (38.8%), subconjunctival injection (35.7%), follicles/papillae (31.2%), periauricular lymphadenopathy (18.0%), punctate keratitis (11.0%), and membranes (3.8%). Clinicians recorded suspected bacterial superinfection complicating viral keratoconjunctivitis (43.9%), suspected adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis (29.3%), and suspected bacterial keratoconjunctivitis (21.3%) as the most frequent categories. Recovery data were available for 238/417 patients (57.1%); in this sub-cohort, complete recovery was associated with urban residence (OR 3.51; 95% CI 1.47-8.42), inadequate water/sanitation access (OR 9.87; 95% CI 2.46-39.62), a crowded environment (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.12-5.14), and a lower symptom score (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.63-0.97). All estimates are observational and are not interpreted as causal. This outbreak occurred in a war-affected setting characterized by displacement, overcrowding, and limited access to water and sanitation. The clinical pattern is consistent with acute infectious keratoconjunctivitis, but the lack of laboratory testing prevents definitive classification as adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis or as enterovirus- or coxsackievirus-associated acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Future outbreak response in similar settings should include laboratory confirmation and viral typing, access to clean water, hand hygiene, separation of cases in eye-care services, and avoidance of shared personal items.

Purtier Placenta Live Stem Cell Therapy is a food supplement by Riway Singapore Pte. Ltd., claimed to contain living deer placenta stem cells together with 11 other active ingredients. It is also promoted as maintaining health and youthfulness and as being supported by numerous patents and research trials. Individual ingredients are accompanied by many other statements implying that Purtier Placenta can alleviate or cure diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, none of these claims is traceable in clinical trial registries, and the mechanism allowing stem cells to be alive in the capsule and be effectively delivered to the body via the digestive tract does not seem plausible. Consequently, authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and Singapore have issued public warnings or imposed penalties in relation to misleading claims. Nevertheless, the product has gained popularity among Czech oncological patients, who perceive it as a magic cure. This paper describes a three-stage testing process designed to verify the species origin of the declared main ingredient. Using barcoding primer mixes, melting analysis, and Sanger sequencing with species-specific primers against seven reference species, we tested whether the capsule content corresponded to the red deer (Cervus elaphus) depicted on the official website (https://www.officialpurtier.com). Our analysis identified that DNA extracted from the 6th Edition capsule was primarily Rusa unicolor/timorensis, with minor components of Dama dama and Cervus elaphus. Although the main component was confirmed to be of deer origin, the lack of specific information and the wording of the marketing materials may be misleading.

Coastal lagoons receiving urban, agricultural, and industrial inputs are hotspots for co-selection and dissemination of antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance, yet their role as reservoirs of resistant enterococci remains poorly characterized in North Africa. This study investigated the Lagoon of Bizerte (northern Tunisia) as a reservoir of antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance in Enterococcus spp. A total of 146 isolates from eight sites were analyzed using integrated phenotypic, molecular, and epidemiological approaches. Enterococcus faecium (44.5%) and E. faecalis (26.7%) predominated. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed high resistance to tetracycline (44.5%) and erythromycin (43.1%), with multidrug resistance more frequent in E. faecium (46.1%). Fourteen resistance genes were identified, including tet(M/O/L/K), erm(A/B/C), mefA, msrA, aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes, and optrA, frequently linked to the Tn916-Tn1545 integrative element. Heavy metal tolerance was most common for copper, lead, zinc, and mercury, with corresponding resistance genes (pcoA, pbrT, zntB, merA, cnrA, silC, nccA, arsA) detected, particularly in E. faecium. Biofilm formation occurred in 81.6% of isolates, strongest in E. faecalis and E. faecium. Multilocus sequence typing of five optrA-positive E. faecium showed predominance of ST17. These findings demonstrate co-selection of resistance traits in lagoon enterococci, underscoring their epidemiological relevance as a public health concern in coastal ecosystems.

Escherichia coli is a highly diverse bacterial species that includes avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), one of the most prevalent causative agents of disease in poultry worldwide. Rapid and accurate discrimination of E. coli strains is essential for outbreak management, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and vaccine development. In this study, we compared the performance of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy using the IR Biotyper system with Nanopore and Illumina whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for typing 200 E. coli isolates, originating from four poultry rearing farms in the Netherlands. From each farm, we sampled 10 one-day-old meat type rearing chicks, and from every chick, we isolated 5 E. coli strains. FTIR clustering showed strong concordance with WGS-based classifications, particularly serotyping and core-genome similarity determined by PopPUNK analysis (Adjusted Rand Index 0.75-0.92). While Nanopore and Illumina sequencing provided the highest genetic resolution, FTIR offered a faster (max 6 vs 12-28 days for 200 isolates) and more cost-effective alternative for assessing clonality. Across all methods, multiple strains were detected per farm, whereas most birds carried a single dominant E. coli strain. Our findings demonstrate that FTIR provides a reliable and scalable phenotypic method for rapid strain discrimination in E. coli, complementing WGS in diagnostic, surveillance, and epidemiological settings where speed and throughput are critical. Escherichia coli is a major pathogen in poultry and a potential zoonotic risk for humans. Rapid and accurate discrimination of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) strains is critical for outbreak management, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and the design of effective autogenous vaccines. In this study, we compared Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with Nanopore and Illumina whole-genome sequencing for strain typing of E. coli isolates originating from poultry. The results show that FTIR provides comparable clustering accuracy to genomic approaches at a fraction of the time and costs. This work demonstrates that FTIR can serve as a practical, high-throughput alternative for routine monitoring of E. coli in veterinary diagnostics and food safety of poultry meat, enabling faster decision-making and more targeted interventions across the poultry production chain.

Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) causes diseases ranging from mild pharyngitis to severe invasive infections. The emm1 type is the most prevalent worldwide, and a highly transmissible variant, M1UK, characterized by increased speA expression, has recently emerged and spread globally. To characterize the genomic diversity of invasive GAS isolates collected from severe cases and epidemiologically important outbreaks in Brazil. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 229 invasive GAS isolates collected in Brazil between January 2023 and November 2024. Genomes were analyzed for emm typing, lineage assignment, and virulence gene profiling. Comparative genomic analyses, including global M1global and M1UK genomes, were performed to contextualize the Brazilian isolates within the global population structure. Thirty-four distinct emm types were identified, with emm1 accounting for 52.4%. Of these, 14% were confirmed as M1UK clones, detected across multiple Brazilian regions. Comparative genomic analysis showed that the remaining emm1 isolates clustered into a well-supported group representing a genetically distinct Brazilian sublineage (Br clade). The detection of M1UK isolates in multiple Brazilian states indicates that this lineage is circulating in the country. Most emm1 isolates analyzed in this study belonged to the Br clade rather than the M1UK lineage, suggesting that the distribution of emm1 sublineages in this selected dataset differs from patterns reported in countries where M1UK has become predominant. These findings highlight the importance of genomic and public health surveillance to monitor and control the spread of invasive GAS infections.

The Rh blood group system is recognized for its complexity and its clinical importance in transfusion medicine. Antibodies against Rh antigens are associated with hemolytic transfusion reactions, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The present study aims to characterize D antigens and assess their allele frequencies at the molecular level. Molecular characterization of RHD variants was performed on blood donors from the Brazilian Central-West who presented atypical D typing results. Serological profiles of all identified RHD variant alleles were also analyzed using different anti-D clones. Among the D-positive samples, 1.25% exhibited weak or discrepant agglutination during serological D typing. Most samples (67/103; 65%) were classified within the RHD*weak partial 4 cluster, followed by RHD*weak D type 3 (17/103; 16%). Lower frequencies were observed for RHD*weak D type 1 (2/103; 1.9%) and RHD*weak D type 2 (6/103; 5.8%). Furthermore, the rare RHD*weak D type 38 and RHD*weak D type 145 variants were identified. Analysis with different anti-D reagents showed that 52% of the samples had agglutination scores below 2+. Notably, 27% were classified as inconclusive, and 21% exhibited RhD serological discrepancies. Atypical reactions in RhD serological testing indicate the presence of variant D antigens. The RHD*weak partial 4 allele was the most prevalent RHD variant in the Brazilian Central-West population. However, the identification of rare RHD*weak D variants, such as types 38 and 145, highlight the genetic diversity reflective of the region's multiracial composition. Understanding the distribution of RHD variants can improve transfusion support and inform future RHD genotyping strategies.

Leukocyte chemotactic factor 2 (LECT2) amyloidosis (ALECT2) is a form of renal amyloid deposition that can present with features resembling diabetic kidney disease. We report the case of a woman with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension who developed progressive renal dysfunction over three years, with her estimated glomerular filtration rate declining from approximately 28 to 10 mL/min/1.73 m² despite stable glycemic control and no identifiable nephrotoxic exposures. Laboratory evaluation revealed minimal albuminuria and unremarkable monoclonal studies, including serum protein electrophoresis, urine protein electrophoresis, and serum free light chain testing. Given the discordance between the degree of proteinuria and the severity of renal function decline, a computed tomography-guided renal biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination demonstrated Congo red-positive deposits with apple-green birefringence, and immunohistochemical staining confirmed ALECT2. No evidence of systemic amyloid involvement was identified. The patient's kidney function continued to decline, ultimately progressing to stage 5 chronic kidney disease, and she elected to pursue conservative management. This case illustrates the importance of tissue diagnosis in patients with atypical patterns of chronic kidney disease.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, and environmental reservoirs such as wastewater (WWTPs) and drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) may facilitate its persistence and spread despite reducing bacterial loads. We investigated 152 antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains collected across treatment stages from two WWTPs and one DWTP in Barcelona, Spain. Strains were characterized through antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, multilocus sequence typing, biofilm assays, and screening of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factors (VFGs), biocide and heavy-metal tolerance genes (HMTGs). Although E. coli bacterial loads decreased along treatment, AMR remained highly prevalent: 85.5% of strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR), 5.3% extensively drug-resistant, and 11.2% carbapenemase-producers. Strains harboring integrase genes were 2.4 to 11.8 times more likely to harbor ARGs for sulfonamide, aminoglycoside, phenicol, trimethoprim, mercury and quaternary-ammonium compounds. Strains carrying blaCTX-M genes were 3.0 to 20.3 times more likely to carry VFGs, while high-risk clones were 3.2 to 7.0 times more associated with VFGs. Some MDR and high-risk E. coli clones persisted in reclaimed water, and one MDR strain was detected at the DWTP inlet. These findings highlight environmental AMR reservoirs as a public health concern and support a One Health approach integrating antibiotic stewardship and environmental monitoring.

This study aimed to systematically investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Ningxia hospitals, to elucidate their genetic evolutionary relationships, and to delineate the genomic and phenotypic profiles of the dominant lineages. Clinical isolates of MRSA strains collected between 01/01/2024 and 30/06/2024 were analyzed, employing second-generation gene sequencing technology, combined with MLST and SCCmec typing, along with evaluation of drug resistance and virulence genes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze strain homology. A total of 74 non-duplicate Staphylococcus aureus strains (67 MRSA and 7 MSSA) were collected. The most common clonal strain was ST59-IVa, accounting for 46.27%. This strain exhibited a high prevalence of resistance genes mecA and blaZ, at 91.04%. All five ST22-IVa strains were found to lack mecA and erm genes but showed β-lactam resistance, while possessing both lukS/F-PV (PVL) and tsst-1 virulence genes, indicating a significant toxicity risk. Genetic evolution analysis revealed that ST3355, ST4513, and ST59 were closely related, all belonging to SCCmec types IVa; the other ST types exhibited mutations at various loci, with ST5 as the central node, resulting in a wider array of ST and SCCmec typing. The ST59-IVa clone is the predominant MRSA strain in Ningxia hospitals, exhibiting multidrug resistance and virulence gene profiles consistent with national trends. However, the emergence of hypervirulent ST22-IVa strains with atypical resistance mechanisms warrants increased vigilance. We recommend enhancing the rational use of antibiotics in hospitals and implementing molecular surveillance for these highly virulent strains.

The novel HLA-B*37:01:41 and HLA-DRB1*12:122 alleles were detected during the HLA typing process.

Endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria have considerable potential as bioinoculants for enhancing plant growth and improving soil health. However, despite their agricultural importance, their antibiotic resistance profiles remain poorly documented. This study assessed the antibiotic resistance of 31 bacterial strains isolated from the roots, cladodes, and rhizosphere of O. dillenii growing in the coastal zone of Benin. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to CA-SFM/EUCAST guidelines. Depending on the bacterial genus, each strain was tested against 7 to 12 antibiotics selected from a panel of 19 antibiotics representing 14 antimicrobial classes. The results showed moderate resistance of 40-60% for linezolid and clindamycin. Low resistance of 10-39% was recorded for erythromycin and vancomycin. In contrast, the bacterial resistance to Tetracycline, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Fusidic Acid, Gentamicin, Quinupristin-dalfopristin, Rifampicin, and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole remained extremely low (<10%). No bacterial resistance was detected against Ampicillin, Amoxicillin-clavulanic Acid, Ceftriaxone, Cefoxitin, Cefotaxime, Norfloxacin, or Imipenem. Overall, 9 out of 31 endophytic strains (29.03%) exhibited multidrug resistance. Therefore, this finding provides valuable biosafety data for the selection and registration of bacterial biofertilizers and identifies several promising strains for future agricultural applications.

In laboratory mice, the H2-Ld gene confers resistance to encephalitis upon infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a foodborne parasite capable of infecting all endotherm animals tested. H2-Ld is carried by inbred strains with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes H-2a (e.g., A/J) and H-2d (e.g., BALB/c), but not by those with haplotypes H-2b (e.g., C57BL/6) and H-2k (e.g., C3H/He). As H2-Ld is typically detected by serological typing of ex vivo spleen samples, testing is usually terminal. Here we present a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method to reliably detect the H2-Ld gene in ear biopsies from live mice, thus allowing researchers to ascertain the H2-Ld genotype for breeding or other in vivo procedures. A 3-primer PCR assay to detect the H2-Ld gene in genomic DNA samples from live animals is demonstrated in inbred strains of mice with the H-2b, H-2d and H-2k MHC haplotypes.

Limited data exist regarding how staphylococcal isolates from infected pets and their owners compare with domestic and international strains. In this study, swabs were collected from skin lesions of 160 pets and nasal cavities of 100 owners in Wuhan, China. Isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of resistance genes. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS, defined by the presence of mecA) were characterized using MLST, spa, and SCCmec typing. Among 268 staphylococcal isolates, 105 were coagulase-positive (69 S. pseudintermedius, 33 S. aureus, 3 S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans). S. pseudintermedius exhibited 91.3% susceptibility to oxacillin but 89.9% resistance to penicillin. Conversely, S. aureus was 97.0% susceptible to gentamicin and levofloxacin, yet 97.0% resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Multidrug resistance was observed in 85.5% and 51.5% of these two species, respectively. Among the 26 mecA-positive isolates (21 MRSP, 5 MRSA), MLST analysis revealed household-level similarities in phenotypes and genotypes (e.g., ST25, ST22), suggesting potential transmission between pets and owners. Furthermore, these sequence types were closely related to globally prevalent lineages, indicating broader genetic backgrounds. Notably, immediate handwashing after pet contact reduced the likelihood of transmission (p = 0.04), especially when pets presented with dermatological disease. This study provides insights into infection control and resistance transfer.