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We report the effect of chemical composition variation on the superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric β-Mn-type high-entropy alloys (HEAs) studied in two very similar Ta5+xMo35−xW5Re35Ru20C20 and Ta5+yW35−yMo5Re35Ru20C20 series. It is found that both HEAs consist of a single cubic β-Mn-type phase for 0 ≤ x ≤ 6 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 9. Bulk fully gapped superconductivity is observed for all these HEAs and their zero-temperature upper critical fields approach the Pauli paramagnetic limit. While our analysis suggests that Tc of these HEAs is mainly controlled by the electron–phonon coupling strength, Tc of the Ta5+xMo35−xW5Re35Ru20C20 series is always higher than that of the Ta5+yW35−yMo5Re35Ru20C20 one even for (nearly) the same valence electron concentration and unit-cell volume. This difference is attributed to the different contributions of Mo and W to the electronic structure, which is supported by the first-principles calculations. Our study suggests that the chemical composition effect should be considered to better understand the superconducting behavior in noncentrosymmetric HEAs.

Summary: Hydrogen is one of the most promising future energy sources due to its highly efficient energy storage and carbon-free features. However, the energy input required for a hydrogen production protocol is an essential factor affecting its widespread adoption. Water electrolysis for hydrogen production currently serves a vital role in the industrial field, but the high overpotential of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) dramatically impedes its practical application. The formaldehyde oxidation reaction (FOR) has emerged as a more thermodynamically favorable alternative, and the innovation of compatible electrodes may steer the direction of technological evolution. We have designed Au-Vo-NiO/CC as a catalyst that triggers the electrocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde, efficiently producing H2 at the ultra-low potential of 0.47 V (vs. RHE) and maintaining long-term stability. Integrated with the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), this bipolar H2 production protocol achieves a nearly 100% Faraday efficiency (FE).

Lifestyle modification is an effective measure for diabetes prevention in people with prediabetes, but its associations with the long-term risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and mortality remain largely uncertain. We aimed to investigate the associations of combined healthy lifestyle factors with these health outcomes among participants with prediabetes. The study included 121 254 people with prediabetes from four prospective cohorts: the Dongfeng-Tongji (DFTJ) cohort and Kailuan study, both from China; the UK Biobank; and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; for mortality analysis only). We documented a total of 18 333 incident diabetes, 10 829 incident CVD, 6926 incident cancer, and 9877 deaths during follow-up. Combined healthy lifestyle scores (scored from 0 to 5) were constructed based on never smoking or quitting smoking for ≥ 10 years, low-to-moderate alcohol drinking, optimal physical activity, healthy diet, and optimal waist circumference. First, Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to quantify the associations of combined lifestyle score with health outcomes in each cohort; then, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled via a random-effects model of meta-analysis. Compared with participants with the least healthy lifestyle (a score of 0–1), participants with the healthiest lifestyle (a score of 4–5) had significantly reduced risks of all outcomes. The HRs (95% confidence interval (CI)) were 0.57 (0.48–0.69) for diabetes, 0.67 (0.62–0.73) for CVD, 0.80 (0.73–0.88) for cancer, and 0.54 (0.42–0.70) for mortality. Significant associations were consistently found across subgroups of baseline demographic characteristics and metabolic health status. In conclusion, our pooled analyses of four cohorts from three countries reveal that greater adherence to a healthy lifestyle is associated with considerably lower risks of diabetes and its major complications among adults with prediabetes. These findings provide informative and compelling evidence for establishing clinical guidelines and public health policies.

Colistin is considered as one of the last-resort antimicrobial agents for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Multidrug-resistant E. asburiae has been increasingly isolated from clinical patients, which posed a great challenge for antibacterial treatment. This study aimed to report a mcr-10 and blaNDM-1 co-carrying E. asburiae clinical isolate 5549 conferred a high-level resistance against colistin. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution broth method. Transferability of mcr-10 and blaNDM-1-carrying plasmids were investigated by conjugation experiments. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify modifications in lipid A. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis between strain 5549 and a total of 301 E. asburiae genomes retrieved from NCBI database were performed. The genetic characteristics of mcr-10 and blaNDM-1-bearing plasmids were also analyzed. Our study indicated that strain 5549 showed extensively antibiotic-resistant trait, including colistin and carbapenem resistance. The mcr-10 and blaNDM-1 were carried by IncFIB/IncFII type p5549_mcr-10 (159417 bp) and IncN type p5549_NDM-1 (63489 bp), respectively. Conjugation assays identified that only the blaNDM-1-carrying plasmid could be successfully transferred to E. coli J53. Interestingly, mcr-10 did not mediate colistin resistance when it was cloned into E. coli DH5α. Mass spectrometry analysis showed the lipid A palmitoylation of the C-lacyl-oxo-acyl chain to the chemical structure of lipid A at m/z 2063 in strain 5549. In summary, this study is the first to report a mcr-10 and blaNDM-1 co-occurrence E. asburiae recovered from China. Our investigation revealed the distribution of different clonal lineage of E. asburiae with epidemiology perspective and the underlying mechanisms of colistin resistance. Active surveillance is necessary to control the further dissemination of multidrug-resistant E. asburiae.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae has become a serious public-health threat. Here we report the complete genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli carrying blaNDM-5 and two copies of blaCTX-M-14 recovered from a bloodstream infection in China. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing of E. coli strain 2D was performed both using Oxford Nanopore MinION and Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platforms. De novo hybrid assembly of short Illumina reads and long MinION reads was performed using Unicycler. In silico multilocus sequence typing (MLST), antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid replicons were identified from the genome sequence. Core genome MLST (cgMLST) analysis between E. coli 2D and all ST354 E. coli strains retrieved from the NCBI GenBank database was performed using BacWGSTdb 2.0 server. Results: The complete genome sequence of E. coli 2D consists of six contigs comprising 5 363 300 bp, including one chromosome and five plasmids, and was assigned to ST354. Six antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, including blaNDM-5 located in a 46 161-bp IncX3 plasmid and two copies of the blaCTX-M-14 gene located both in the chromosome and in a 96 499-bp IncB plasmid. The closest relative of E. coli 2D was another isolate recovered from Lebanon, which differed by 162 cgMLST loci. Conclusion: This study reports the first genome sequence of a MDR E. coli carrying blaNDM-5 and two copies of blaCTX-M-14 in China. These data may help to understand the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and transmission dynamics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in clinical settings.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The emergence and dissemination of colistin-resistant Enterobacterales has become a major global public-health threat. Here we investigated the genomic and phylogenetic characteristics of a multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain (KP4823) carrying the mcr-1 gene recovered from a urinary tract infection in China. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility of K. pneumoniae KP4823 was determined by broth microdilution. Whole genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore MinION and Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platforms. Hybrid assembly with long and short reads was performed using Unicycler, and the genome was annotated using the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP). The sequence type (ST), capsular type, and antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes were identified from the genome sequence. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis was performed by BacWGSTdb 2.0 server. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae KP4823 was resistant to colistin, ceftazidime, cefepime, cefotaxime, fosfomycin and aztreonam. The complete genome sequence of KP4823 consists of five contigs comprising 5 445 519 bp, including one chromosome and four plasmids. The isolate was assigned to ST101 with capsular serotype KL106. Several antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, including the colistin resistance gene mcr-1, which was located on a 34 685-bp IncX4 plasmid. The closest relative of K. pneumoniae KP4823 was another ST101 isolate (08EU827) recovered from Sweden in 2008, which differed by 191 cgMLST loci. Conclusion: Our study reports the genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant mcr-1-carrying K. pneumoniae in China. These data may help to understand the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, genomic features and transmission dynamics of colistin resistance in clinical settings.

Objectives: Mycoplasma hominis is one of the smallest free-living opportunistic human pathogens responsible for a diverse range of infections. However, knowledge regarding the genetic and pathogenic mechanisms of M. hominis is still very limited. This study aimed to investigate the genomic features of a multidrug-resistant M. hominis isolate recovered from a synovial fluid sample in China. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility of M. hominis MH-1 was determined by broth microdilution. Genomic DNA was extracted and was sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. De novo genome assembly was performed using SPAdes, and the draft genome was annotated using the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP). Core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis between M. hominis MH-1 and all 25 M. hominis strains retrieved from the NCBI GenBank database was performed using BacWGSTdb server. Results: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that M. hominis MH-1 was resistant to macrolides and fluoroquinolones. The genome size was calculated as 720 262 bp, with 608 protein-coding sequences and a G + C content of 26.8%. Several antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence genes, genomic islands and insertion sequences were identified in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains retrieved from NCBI as well as M. hominis MH-1 were not epidemiologically related. The closest relative of M. hominis MH-1 was recovered from the USA, which differed by 5898 SNPs. Conclusion: This study reports the first genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant M. hominis isolate in China. These data may help to understand the genomic features and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of this pathogen.

Large-scale genomic characterization of tumors from prospective cohort studies may yield new insights into cancer pathogenesis. We performed whole-exome sequencing of 619 incident colorectal cancers (CRCs) and integrated the results with tumor immunity, pathology, and survival data. We identified recurrently mutated genes in CRC, such as BCL9L, RBM10, CTCF, and KLF5, that were not previously appreciated in this disease. Furthermore, we investigated the genomic correlates of immune-cell infiltration and found that higher neoantigen load was positively associated with overall lymphocytic infiltration, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), memory T cells, and CRC-specific survival. The association with TILs was evident even within microsatellite-stable tumors. We also found positive selection of mutations in HLA genes and other components of the antigen-processing machinery in TIL-rich tumors. These results may inform immunotherapeutic approaches in CRC. More generally, this study demonstrates a framework for future integrative molecular epidemiology research in colorectal and other malignancies.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important bacterium that emerged as a significant nosocomial pathogen worldwide. The rise of A. baumannii was due to its multi-drug resistance (MDR), while it was difficult to treat multi-drug resistant A. baumannii with antibiotics, especially in pediatric patients for the therapeutic options with antibiotics were quite limited in pediatric patients. A. baumannii ST208 was identified as predominant sequence type of carbapenem resistant A. baumannii in the United States and China. As we knew, there was no complete genome sequence reproted for A. baumannii ST208, although several whole genome shotgun sequences had been reported. Here, we sequenced the 4087-kilobase (kb) chromosome and 112-kb plasmid of A. baumannii XH386 (ST208), which was isolated from a pediatric hospital in China. The genome of A. baumannii XH386 contained 3968 protein-coding genes and 94 RNA-only encoding genes. Genomic analysis and Minimum inhibitory concentration assay showed that A. baumannii XH386 was multi-drug resistant strain, which showed resistance to most of antibiotics, except for tigecycline. The data may be accessed via the GenBank accession number CP010779 and CP010780. Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, Multi-drug resistance, Paediatric

Purpose: To develop and validate a clinicoradiomics model based on intratumoral habitat imaging for preoperatively predicting of progression-free survival (PFS) of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and analyzing progression-associated genes expression., Methods: This retrospective study included 691 ccRCC patients from multicenter databases. Entire tumor segmentation was performed with handcrafted process to generate habitat subregions based on a pixel-wise gray-level co-occurrence matrix analysis. Cox regression models for PFS prediction were constructed using conventional volumetric radiomics features (Radiomics), habitat subregions-derived radiomics (Rad-Habitat), and an integration of habitat radiomics and clinical characteristics (Hybrid Cox). Training (n = 393) and internal validation (n = 118) was performed in a Nanjing cohort, external validation was performed in a Wuhan and Zhejiang cohort (n = 227) and in a TCGA-KIRC (n =71) with imaging-genomic correlation. Statistical analysis included the area-under-ROC curve analysis, C-index, decision curve analysis (DCA) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis., Results: Hybrid Cox model resulted in a C-index of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.73-0.93) in internal validation and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.84) in external validation for PFS prediction, higher than Radiomics and Rad-Habitat model. Patients stratified by Hybrid Cox model presented with significant difference survivals between high-risk and low-risk group in 3 data sets (all P < 0.001 at Log-rank test). TCGA-KIRC data analysis revealed 37 upregulated and 81 downregulated genes associated with habitat imaging features of ccRCC. Differentially expressed genes likely play critical roles in protein and mineral metabolism, immune defense, and cellular polarity maintenance., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Yu-Dong Zhang reports financial support was provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In recent decades, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei city cluster is experiencing rapid urbanization along with economic booming. Meanwhile, these cities are suffering the influence of extreme precipitation and dust storms. In this study, the impact of dust aerosol on extreme precipitation that occurred in Beijing during 19-21 July 2016 is investigated using both satellite retrievals and Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled to Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model simulations. Results reveal that the dust particles can increase extreme precipitation by promoting the formation of ice clouds and enhancing convections. The dust is lifted into the upper troposphere (>10 km) via strong convection and affects the physical process of precipitation after long-range transport. It further transforms the supercooled water into the middle and high levels of ice nuclei (IN). These promote the formation of ice clouds according to the decreased effective radius of IN and increased ice water path, respectively. Along with sufficient water vapor transport and strong convergence, the formation of IN could release more latent heat and further strengthen convection development. Thus, the precipitation amount in southern Beijing is almost enhanced by 40 % (>80 mm). This study will provide a deep insight into understanding the causes of urban extreme precipitation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)