Search

Introduction: Rapid detection of amino acids plays an important role in the field of medical diagnosis. By combining Rhodamine B with triphenylamine, a novel double-response fluorescence probe (E)-4-((4-(((3',6'-bis(diethylamino)-3oxospiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-2-yl)imino)methyl)phenyl)(phenyl)amino) benzaldehyde (RBTPA) was prepared for rapid identification of different amino acids. Methods: Under daylight and 365 nm irradiation, it was found that the color change was most bright at pH = 3, and changed to dim at pH = 4. When pH = 3 and pH = 4, the photophysical properties of the two strong acids are very different. The maximum redshift of UV absorption light is 110 nm, and the maximum fluorescence emission intensity is 4 times different. Results and Discussion: In order to further observe their binding structure analysis with different amino acids, qualitative analysis of each response structure was determined by mass spectrometry according to different molecular weights. The fluorescence probe RBTPA has two different isomers for recognition response in aldehyde group and imine group, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nocardiosis, despite its rarity and underreporting, is significant due to its severe impact, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. The development of a precise, reliable, rapid, and straightforward technique for identifying the pathogenic agent in clinical specimens is crucial to reduce fatality rates and facilitate timely antimicrobial treatment. In this study, we aimed to identify Nocardia spp. in clinical isolates, using MALDI-TOF MS as the primary method, with molecular methods as the gold standard. Clinical Nocardia isolates were identified using 16S rRNA/hsp65/gyrB/secA1/rpoB gene sequencing. Identification performance of the Bruker MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) and MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) for Nocardia identification was evaluated. Results: Seventy-six Nocardia isolates were classified into 12 species through gene sequencing. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) achieved 100% genus-level accuracy and 84.2% species accuracy (64/76). The MBT Compass 4.1 with the BDAL Database (V11.0.0.0_10833) improved species identification to 98.7% (75/76). The updated database enhanced species level identification with scores > 1.7, increasing from 77.6% (59/76) to 94.7% (72/76), a significant improvement (P = 0.001). The new and simplified extraction increased the proportion of strains identified to the species level with scores > 1.7 from 62.0% (18/29) to 86.2% (25/29) (P = 0.016). An in-house library construction ensured accurate species identification for all isolates. Conclusions: The Bruker mass spectrometer can accurately identify Nocardia species, albeit with some variations observed between different database versions. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) has limitations in identifying Nocardia brasiliensis, with some strains only identifiable to the genus level. MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) effectively addresses this shortfall, improving species identification accuracy to 98.7%, and offering quick and reliable identification of Nocardia. Both database versions incorrectly identified the clinically less common Nocardia sputorum as Nocardia araoensis. For laboratories that have not upgraded their databases and are unable to achieve satisfactory identification results for Nocardia, employing the new and simplified extraction method can provide a degree of improvement in identification outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF) and Lonicerae flos (LF) are traditional Chinese herbs that are commonly used and widely known for their medicinal properties and edibility. Although they may have a similar appearance and vary slightly in chemical composition, their effectiveness as medicine and their use in clinical settings vary significantly, making them unsuitable for substitution. In this study, a novel 2 × 3 six-channel fluorescent sensor array is proposed that uses machine learning algorithms in combination with the indicator displacement assay (IDA) method to quickly identify LJF and LF. This array comprises two coumarin-based fluorescent indicators (ES and MS) and three diboronic acid-substituted 4,4′-bipyridinium cation quenchers (Q1–Q3), forming six dynamic complexes (C1–C6). When these complexes react with the ortho-dihydroxy groups of phenolic acid compounds in LJF and LF, they release different fluorescent indicators, which in turn causes distinct fluorescence recovery. By optimizing eight machine learning algorithms, the model achieved 100% and 98.21% accuracy rates in the testing set and the cross-validation predictions, respectively, in distinguishing between LJF and LF using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The integration of machine learning with this fluorescent sensor array shows great potential in analyzing and detecting foods and pharmaceuticals that contain polyphenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid and accurate identification of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi (A, B and C), the causal agents of enteric fever, is critical for timely treatment, case management and evaluation of health policies in low and middle-income countries where the disease still remains a serious public health problem. The present study describes the development of a multiplex assay (EFMAtyping) for simultaneous identification of pathogens causing typhoid and paratyphoid fever in a single reaction by the MeltArray approach, which could be finished within 2.5 h. Seven specific genes were chosen for differentiation of typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella. All gene targets were able to be detected by the EFMAtyping assay, with expected Tm values and without cross-reactivity to other relevant Salmonella serovars. The limit of detection (LOD) for all gene targets was 50 copies per reaction. The LOD reached 102–103 CFU/ml for each pathogen in simulated clinical samples. The largest standard deviation value for mean Tm was below 0.5 °C. This newly developed EFMAtyping assay was further evaluated by testing 551 clinical Salmonella isolates, corroborated in parallel by the traditional Salmonella identification workflow, and serotype prediction was enabled by whole-genome sequencing. Compared to the traditional method, our results exhibited 100% of specificity and greater than 96% of sensitivity with a kappa correlation ranging from 0.96 to 1.00. Thus, the EFMAtyping assay provides a rapid, high throughput, and promising tool for public health laboratories to monitor typhoid and paratyphoid fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely pathogen identification in bloodstream infections is crucial for patient care. A comparison is made between positive blood culture (BC) pellets from serum separator tubes using a direct identification (DI) method and colonies on agar plates from a short-term incubation (STI) method with a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Biotyper for the evaluation of 354 monomicrobial BCs. Both the DI and STI methods exhibited similar identification rates for different types of bacteria, except for Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria. The DI method's results aligned closely with the STI method's results for Enterobacterales, glucose-non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. The DI method exhibited high concordance with the conventional method for GNB identification, achieving 88.2 and 87.5% accuracy at the genus and species levels, respectively. Compared with the STI method, the DI method showed a less successful performance for Gram-positive bacterial identification (50.5 vs. 71.3%; p < 0.01). The DI method was useful for anaerobic bacterial identification of slow-growing microorganisms without any need for colony growth, unlike in the STI method (46.7 vs. 13.3%; p = 0.04). However, both methods could not identify yeast in positive BCs. Overall, the DI method provided reliable results for GNB identification, offering many advantages over the STI method by significantly reducing the turnaround time and enabling quicker pathogen identification in positive BCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Calculus bovis (C. bovis) is a typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from animals, which has a remarkable curative effect and high price. Objectives: Rapid identification of C. bovis from different types was realized based on spectral technology, and a rapid quantitative analysis method for the main quality control indicator bilirubin was established. Methods: We conducted a supervised and unsupervised pattern recognition study on 44 batches of different types of C. bovis by five spectral pretreatment methods. Three variable selection methods were used to extract the essential information, and the partial least squares regression (PLSR) quantitative model of bilirubin by near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was constructed. Results: The partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) model could achieve 100% accuracy in identifying different types of C. bovis. The R2 of the NIR quantitative model was 0.979, which is close to 1, and the root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) was 2.3515, indicating the good prediction ability of the model. Conclusion: The study was carried out to further improve the basic data of quality control of C. bovis and help the high‐quality development of TCM derived from animals. A comprehensive study of C. bovis of animal origin by spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Nocardiosis, despite its rarity and underreporting, is significant due to its severe impact, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. The development of a precise, reliable, rapid, and straightforward technique for identifying the pathogenic agent in clinical specimens is crucial to reduce fatality rates and facilitate timely antimicrobial treatment. In this study, we aimed to identify Nocardia spp. in clinical isolates, using MALDI-TOF MS as the primary method, with molecular methods as the gold standard. Clinical Nocardia isolates were identified using 16S rRNA/hsp65/gyrB/secA1/rpoB gene sequencing. Identification performance of the Bruker MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) and MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) for Nocardia identification was evaluated. Results Seventy-six Nocardia isolates were classified into 12 species through gene sequencing. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) achieved 100% genus-level accuracy and 84.2% species accuracy (64/76). The MBT Compass 4.1 with the BDAL Database (V11.0.0.0_10833) improved species identification to 98.7% (75/76). The updated database enhanced species level identification with scores > 1.7, increasing from 77.6% (59/76) to 94.7% (72/76), a significant improvement (P = 0.001). The new and simplified extraction increased the proportion of strains identified to the species level with scores > 1.7 from 62.0% (18/29) to 86.2% (25/29) (P = 0.016). An in-house library construction ensured accurate species identification for all isolates. Conclusions The Bruker mass spectrometer can accurately identify Nocardia species, albeit with some variations observed between different database versions. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) has limitations in identifying Nocardia brasiliensis, with some strains only identifiable to the genus level. MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) effectively addresses this shortfall, improving species identification accuracy to 98.7%, and offering quick and reliable identification of Nocardia. Both database versions incorrectly identified the clinically less common Nocardia sputorum as Nocardia araoensis. For laboratories that have not upgraded their databases and are unable to achieve satisfactory identification results for Nocardia, employing the new and simplified extraction method can provide a degree of improvement in identification outcomes.

Abstract Rapid and accurate identification of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi (A, B and C), the causal agents of enteric fever, is critical for timely treatment, case management and evaluation of health policies in low and middle-income countries where the disease still remains a serious public health problem. The present study describes the development of a multiplex assay (EFMAtyping) for simultaneous identification of pathogens causing typhoid and paratyphoid fever in a single reaction by the MeltArray approach, which could be finished within 2.5 h. Seven specific genes were chosen for differentiation of typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella. All gene targets were able to be detected by the EFMAtyping assay, with expected Tm values and without cross-reactivity to other relevant Salmonella serovars. The limit of detection (LOD) for all gene targets was 50 copies per reaction. The LOD reached 102–103 CFU/ml for each pathogen in simulated clinical samples. The largest standard deviation value for mean Tm was below 0.5 °C. This newly developed EFMAtyping assay was further evaluated by testing 551 clinical Salmonella isolates, corroborated in parallel by the traditional Salmonella identification workflow, and serotype prediction was enabled by whole-genome sequencing. Compared to the traditional method, our results exhibited 100% of specificity and greater than 96% of sensitivity with a kappa correlation ranging from 0.96 to 1.00. Thus, the EFMAtyping assay provides a rapid, high throughput, and promising tool for public health laboratories to monitor typhoid and paratyphoid fever.

Abstract Background Early and appropriate antibiotic treatment improves the clinical outcome of patients with sepsis. There is an urgent need for rapid identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of bacteria that cause bloodstream infection (BSI). Rapid ID and AST can be achieved by short-term incubation on solid medium of positive blood cultures using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) and the BD M50 system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of rapid method compared to traditional method. Methods A total of 124 mono-microbial samples were collected. Positive blood culture samples were short-term incubated on blood agar plates and chocolate agar plates for 5 ∼ 7 h, and the rapid ID and AST were achieved through Zybio EXS2000 MS and BD M50 System, respectively. Results Compared with the traditional 24 h culture for ID, this rapid method can shorten the cultivation time to 5 ∼ 7 h. Accurate organism ID was achieved in 90.6% of Gram-positive bacteria (GP), 98.5% of Gram-negative bacteria (GN), and 100% of fungi. The AST resulted in the 98.5% essential agreement (EA) and 97.1% category agreements (CA) in NMIC-413, 99.4% EA and 98.9% CA in PMIC-92, 100% both EA and CA in SMIC-2. Besides, this method can be used for 67.2% (264/393) of culture bottles during routine work. The mean turn-around time (TAT) for obtaining final results by conventional method is approximately 72.6 ± 10.5 h, which is nearly 24 h longer than the rapid method. Conclusions The newly described method is expected to provide faster and reliable ID and AST results, making it an important tool for rapid management of blood cultures (BCs). In addition, this rapid method can be used to process most positive blood cultures, enabling patients to receive rapid and effective treatment.

We established a mathematical model for predicting the health status of Chinese mitten crab based on deep inference model (YOLO-v7). Firstly, crabs grew in the natural environment form the back pattern characteristics, which could be divided into six features of lateral teeth, keel ridge, frontal gibbosity, verruca process, neck groove, compound eye according to morphometrics. Based on the human visual attention mechanism, the effective feature characterizations were visualized with higher classification accuracy in the YOLO-v7 model. Moreover, according to the calculation results, the image labeling software-Labellmg was used to mark the vitality grade of the first five different feature combination modes, respectively. Then, the YOLO-v7 model was used to train and reason the marked data, and the optimal Chinese mitten crab freshness identification model was obtained. The experimental results showed that the proposed texture feature combination algorithm of verruca process + cervical groove could basically realize the recognition of the health status of Chinese mitten crab. The overall training accuracy could reach 95%, the reasoning accuracy could reach 96.20%. Moreover, the reasoning time of each vitality grade of Chinese mitten crab was less than one second. This method had great application prospect and market value, which provided key technology for developing nondestructive testing equipment for large-scale online quality of Chinese mitten crab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adulteration and counterfeiting of tea products lead to economic losses and poses health concerns for consumers. This study proposed a novel method to rapidly discriminate the category of oolong tea, a famous Chinese semifermented tea, by applying an electronic nose (E-nose) and electronic tongue (E-tongue) system combined with a modified generative adversarial network (GAN) - temporal convolutional network (TCN) composite model. Specifically, the olfactory and gustatory fingerprint signals of tea samples are first collected by E-nose and E-tongue sensory systems, respectively. Considering the unbalanced scarcity and small-sample nature of data collection, a Wasserstein GAN model is employed to learn the data representations of E-nose and E-tongue signals and generate highly realistic training samples. Two improved temporal convolutional networks (TCNs) integrated with a squeeze-and-excitation attention module are proposed to learn the significant features and discover the internal patterns from the signals of the E-nose and E-tongue. Then, a dynamic fusion module (DFM) is developed to fuse the features of the E-nose and E-tongue to achieve information complementarity and enhancement. Finally, the fused information is sent to a classifier to predict the class label. The proposed approach is assessed using different performance metrics, and the experimental results reveal that an accuracy of 99.33% was achieved. The above research will provide a new approach for the rapid identification of different categories of oolong tea, which has a wide range of application prospects in the rapid classification and detection of other agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Early and appropriate antibiotic treatment improves the clinical outcome of patients with sepsis. There is an urgent need for rapid identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of bacteria that cause bloodstream infection (BSI). Rapid ID and AST can be achieved by short-term incubation on solid medium of positive blood cultures using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) and the BD M50 system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of rapid method compared to traditional method. Methods: A total of 124 mono-microbial samples were collected. Positive blood culture samples were short-term incubated on blood agar plates and chocolate agar plates for 5 ∼ 7 h, and the rapid ID and AST were achieved through Zybio EXS2000 MS and BD M50 System, respectively. Results: Compared with the traditional 24 h culture for ID, this rapid method can shorten the cultivation time to 5 ∼ 7 h. Accurate organism ID was achieved in 90.6% of Gram-positive bacteria (GP), 98.5% of Gram-negative bacteria (GN), and 100% of fungi. The AST resulted in the 98.5% essential agreement (EA) and 97.1% category agreements (CA) in NMIC-413, 99.4% EA and 98.9% CA in PMIC-92, 100% both EA and CA in SMIC-2. Besides, this method can be used for 67.2% (264/393) of culture bottles during routine work. The mean turn-around time (TAT) for obtaining final results by conventional method is approximately 72.6 ± 10.5 h, which is nearly 24 h longer than the rapid method. Conclusions: The newly described method is expected to provide faster and reliable ID and AST results, making it an important tool for rapid management of blood cultures (BCs). In addition, this rapid method can be used to process most positive blood cultures, enabling patients to receive rapid and effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legionella pneumophila is a freshwater opportunistic pathogen and the leading cause of severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. It can be found in all water systems and survives in biofilms, free-living amoebae, and a wide variety of facilities, such as air conditioning and showers in hospitals, hotels and spas. The reference cultural method allows for the isolation and identification in many days, and in addition, it does not detect viable but rather non-culturable bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. In this context, a new LAMP-based (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) kit was developed, allowing for the rapid, sensitive, and labor-saving detection of L. pneumophila. The kit, "Legionella pneumophila Glow", was validated according to ISO/TS 12869:2012, testing sensitivity, inclusivity and exclusivity, and kit robustness. Sensitivity showed that the "Legionella pneumophila Glow" kit can detect up to 28 plasmid copies/µL. Robustness tests showed consistent results, with both contamination levels and the matrices used giving reproducible results. Furthermore, real samples were evaluated to compare the performance of the two methods. The LAMP kit "Legionella pneumophila Glow" proved a useful option for the rapid, efficient, and labor-saving screening of different typologies of water samples, offering significant advantages over the traditional method, as it is characterized by a high sensitivity, ease of use for laboratory testing, and a large reduction in analysis time, making it an asset to official controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering for Thermal Energy & Power / Reneng Dongli Gongcheng is the property of Journal of Engineering for Thermal Energy & Power and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

IntroductionRapid detection of amino acids plays an important role in the field of medical diagnosis. By combining Rhodamine B with triphenylamine, a novel double-response fluorescence probe (E)-4-((4-(((3′,6′-bis(diethylamino)-3-oxospiro[isoindoline-1,9′-xanthen]-2-yl)imino)methyl)phenyl)(phenyl)amino)benzaldehyde (RBTPA) was prepared for rapid identification of different amino acids.MethodsUnder daylight and 365 nm irradiation, it was found that the color change was most bright at pH = 3, and changed to dim at pH = 4. When pH = 3 and pH = 4, the photophysical properties of the two strong acids are very different. The maximum redshift of UV absorption light is 110 nm, and the maximum fluorescence emission intensity is 4 times different.Results and DiscussionIn order to further observe their binding structure analysis with different amino acids, qualitative analysis of each response structure was determined by mass spectrometry according to different molecular weights. The fluorescence probe RBTPA has two different isomers for recognition response in aldehyde group and imine group, respectively.

The rapid identification of lactic acid bacteria, which are essential microorganisms in the food industry, is of great significance for industrial applications. The identification of lactic acid bacteria traditionally relies on the isolation and identification of pure colonies. While this method is well-established and widely used, it is not without limitations. The subjective judgment inherent in the isolation and purification process introduces potential for error, and the incomplete nature of the isolation process can result in the loss of valuable information. The advent of next generation sequencing has provided a novel approach to the rapid identification of lactic acid bacteria. This technology offers several advantages, including rapidity, accuracy, high throughput and low cost. Next generation sequencing represents a significant advancement in the field of DNA sequencing. Its ability to rapidly and accurately identify lactic acid bacteria strains in samples with insufficient information or in the presence of multiple lactic acid bacteria sets it apart as a valuable tool. The application of this technology not only circumvents the potential errors inherent in the traditional method but also provides a robust foundation for the expeditious identification of lactic acid bacteria strains and the authentication of bacterial powder in industrial applications. This paper commences with an overview of traditional and molecular biology methods for the identification of lactic acid bacteria. While each method has its own advantages as they are not without limitations in practical application. Subsequently, the paper provides an introduction of the principle, process, advantages, and disadvantages of next generation sequencing and also details its application in strain identification and rapid identification of lactic acid bacteria. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive and reliable basis for the rapid identification of industrial lactic acid bacteria strains and the authenticity identification of bacterial powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some edible Leguminous are toxic when raw, and the Chinese are particularly fond of beans, so Leguminous poisoning is very common in China. Rapid and accurate identification of poisoned species and determination of their toxic components would better assist physicians in treating patients. However, traditional morphology-based identification methods possess many limitations. DNA barcoding technique is a new species identification technique developed in recent years, which is expected to make up for the shortcomings of traditional morphological identification. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation system based on DNA barcoding and ELISA kits was attempted. A total of 30 Leguminous toxic plants were collected, involving 9 genera and 10 species. We used simulated gastric fluid (SGF) to simulate the human gastric environment. Three markers (rbcL, trnH-psbA, and ITS) were amplified and sequenced for all untreated and 15 mock-digested samples. The validity of DNA barcoding for species identification was assessed using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) method and the tree construction method. The levels of three toxic components (saponin, phytoagglutin and trasylol) were determined in all samples using ELISA kits. The amplification success rate of all three regions was high (rbcL 96.67%, trnH-psbA 100%, and ITS 100%), but the sequencing of the trnH-psbA region was less satisfactory (66.67%), and SGF had a significant impact on the sequencing of the ITS region (After 40 min of SGF treatment, the sequencing success rate decreased by 46.67%). The samples from different species and origins contained different levels of toxic components, and the levels of all three substances decreased significantly after undergoing SGF digestion. After 1 h of SGF treatment, the saponin content decreased to 0–8.60% in untreated content (PHA decreased to 8.62–36.88%, trasylol decreased to 4.70–47.06%). The current results suggest that DNA barcoding has great potential for rapid identification of Leguminous poisoning in clinical settings. Toxins are probably not detectable in the patient for longer periods of poisoning. We recommend DNA barcoding technology as a first step for rapid screening and combined with toxin analysis for clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of DNA barcoding is well established for specimen identification and large‐scale biodiversity discovery, but remains underutilized for time‐sensitive applications such as rapid species discovery in field stations, identifying pests, citizen science projects, and authenticating food. The main reason is that existing express barcoding workflows are either too expensive or can only be used in very well‐equipped laboratories by highly‐trained staff. We here show an alternative workflow combining rapid DNA extraction with HotSHOT, amplicon production with NextGenPCR thermocyclers, and sequencing with low‐cost MinION sequencers. We demonstrate the power of the approach by generating 250 barcodes for 285 specimens within 6 h including specimen identification through BLAST. The workflow required only the following major equipment that easily fits onto a lab bench: Thermocycler, NextGenPCR, microplate sealer, Qubit, and MinION. Based on our results, we argue that simplified barcoding workflows for species‐level sorting are now faster, more accurate, and sufficiently cost‐effective to replace traditional morpho‐species sorting in many projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hylurgus ligniperda is an imported quarantine plant pest in China. Its identification is usually based on morphological characteristics; therefore, species identification needs high professional requirements of staff and professionals with high experience accumulated through long-term training. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid identification technology, which is based on protein profiles of species. It has been widely used for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Many studies have reported the identification of mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods. The application of MALDI-TOF MS in the identification of H. ligniperda can improve the identification efficiency of H. ligniperda, preventing and control its harm and further spread. To construct a spectra database for H. ligniperda, we analyzed the effect of different factors, such as different body parts, developmental stages, populations, and preservation conditions, on its protein spectrum. We collected protein spectrum profiles from 19 specimens of H. ligniperda and its related species, obtaining 211 protein spectra to construct a reference database and validate identification. The protein spectrum from the chest specimens of H. ligniperda showed many peaks, high intensity, and a stable signal, indicating a successful data establishment. The difference in protein spectra between different regions of the same species was less, but did not affect the identification results. Clear differences were observed in the protein spectrum across many developmental stages. The database established by the adult specimens protein spectrum can accurately identify Dendroctonus valens, Tomicus piniperda, and H. ligniperda. MALDI-TOF MS technology can be used for the rapid identification of H. ligniperda. This method is rapid and direct, and the identification results are robust. It does not require specialized entomological expertise and can be used for customs interception and field investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leeches are a well-known animal-derived health supplement commonly used as an anticoagulation and antithrombosis agent; however, adulteration and counterfeiting are often made for illegal profits. To identify leech species, this study developed a rapid, simple, and visualized method based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which relies on a specific primer set designed according to the mitochondrial DNA control region of the target species. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was also employed in parallel to compare the sensitivity and confirm the primer specificity. Primer sets with high specificity were successfully screened for LAMP reactions against four common leech species on the market. All of them have produced typical amplification profiles of the target sequences in qPCR reactions with significantly lower amplification sensitivity than LAMP assay. The newly established LAMP method in this study can be accomplished within 1 h, and it could be successfully applied for on-site visual identification of mislabeling and adulteration in the leech market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba var. jujuba Mill.) and sour jujube (Z. jujuba var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F.Chow.) are economically, nutritionally, and ecologically significant members of the Rhamnaceae family. Despite their importance, insufficient research on their genetics and habitats has impeded effective conservation and utilization. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted plastome sequencing, integrated distribution data from China, and assessed genetic diversity and suitable habitat. The plastomes of both species exhibited high conservation and low genetic diversity. A new-found 23 bp species-specific Indel in the petL-petG enabled us to develop a rapid Indel-based identification marker for species discrimination. Phylogenetic analysis and dating illuminated their genetic relationship, showing speciation occurred 6.9 million years ago, in a period of dramatic global temperature fluctuations. Substantial variations in suitable climatic conditions were observed, with the mean temperature of the coldest quarter as the primary factor influencing distributions (-3.16°C-12.73°C for jujube and -5.79°C to 4.11°C for sour jujube, suitability exceeding 0.6). Consequently, distinct conservation strategies are warranted due to differences in suitable habitats, with jujube having a broader distribution and sour jujube concentrated in Northern China. In conclusion, disparate habitats and climatic factors necessitate tailored conservation approaches. Comparing genetic diversity and developing rapid species-specific primers will further enhance the sustainable utilization of these valuable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF) and Lonicerae flos (LF) are traditional Chinese herbs that are commonly used and widely known for their medicinal properties and edibility. Although they may have a similar appearance and vary slightly in chemical composition, their effectiveness as medicine and their use in clinical settings vary significantly, making them unsuitable for substitution. In this study, a novel 2 × 3 six-channel fluorescent sensor array is proposed that uses machine learning algorithms in combination with the indicator displacement assay (IDA) method to quickly identify LJF and LF. This array comprises two coumarin-based fluorescent indicators (ES and MS) and three diboronic acid-substituted 4,4′-bipyridinium cation quenchers (Q1–Q3), forming six dynamic complexes (C1–C6). When these complexes react with the ortho-dihydroxy groups of phenolic acid compounds in LJF and LF, they release different fluorescent indicators, which in turn causes distinct fluorescence recovery. By optimizing eight machine learning algorithms, the model achieved 100% and 98.21% accuracy rates in the testing set and the cross-validation predictions, respectively, in distinguishing between LJF and LF using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The integration of machine learning with this fluorescent sensor array shows great potential in analyzing and detecting foods and pharmaceuticals that contain polyphenols.

This study evaluated the efficacy of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for the rapid identification of pathogens in dairy products at the colony and cellular levels. The colony and cellular levels studies were designed as completely randomized with six replications. Three strains of Listeria monocytogenes, four strains of Escherichia coli O157: H7, Big Six Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli, three strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and ten serovars of Salmonella were used in this study. Pure cultures were streaked for isolation on respective selective media, and hyperspectral data (400–1100 nm wavelength) at the colony and cellular levels were collected and stored as reference libraries. Whole milk and whole milk powder were artificially inoculated (<10 CFU/g or mL) with individual pathogenic strains/serovars. All milk and milk powder samples were enriched using brain heart infusion (BHI) broth at 37°C for 24 h, streaked for isolation on the respective selective media, and hyperspectral data for individual pathogenic strains/serovars at the colony and cellular levels were acquired and treated as test samples data. The acquired colony or cellular images were imported into ENVI software and three regions of interest were selected for each image to obtain hyperspectral data for reference libraries and test samples. Using the kNN classifier and cross‐validation technique, overall classification accuracies of 90.38% and 34% were obtained for the colony‐ and cellular‐level identification, respectively. The individual classification accuracies of pathogens in dairy products at the colony level varied between 77.5% to 100%, whereas the accuracy varied between 2.78% and 49.17% for the cellular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Science & Biotechnology is the property of Journal of Food Science & Biotechnology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The accurate detection of collapsed buildings is of great significance for post-disaster rescue and reconstruction. High-resolution optical images are important data sources for identifying collapsed buildings, and the identification accuracy mainly depends on the features extracted from the images. However, existing research lacks a comprehensive screening and general evaluation of the ability of remote sensing features to detect collapsed buildings, and there is still a considerable gap in the operational process of rapid identification of collapsed buildings in remote sensing. Based on 2630 pairs of building samples distributed in 6 regions worldwide, this study evaluated the ability of 25 remote sensing features (including spectral and spatial features) to detect collapsed buildings and select the most capable ones. Then, we test the application effect of selected features in identifying collapsed buildings on large-scale remote sensing images. Based on the two experiments above, an operational process for rapid identification of collapsed buildings was suggested. The result shows that Homogeneity, Energy, Local Entropy, Local Standard Deviation, and Gradient can effectively and stably distinguish collapsed buildings from non-collapsed buildings (Jeffries-Matusita distances are greater than 1.59 and Transformed Divergences are greater than 1.60) and have high recognition accuracy for collapsed buildings on large-scale remote sensing images (F1-scores are 0.71–0.94). In addition, Contrast, Local Coefficient of Variation, Edge Density, and Global Entropy can also distinguish collapsed buildings from non-collapsed buildings at a normal level (Jeffries-Matusita distances are 1.14–1.28, and Transformed Divergences are 1.24–1.48), while Gradient Orientation Entropy, Fractal Dimension, Local Binary Patterns, Edge, Local Mean, Correlation, Gradient Orientation Standard Deviation, Global Coefficient of Variation, Gabor feature, Local Moran'I, and six spectral features have relatively weak abilities (Jeffries-Matusita distances are less than 0.73, and Transformed Divergences are less than 1.07). The selected remote sensing features can support rapid identification of potential collapsed building areas from post-disaster remote sensing images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the performance of two latest generation matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems in routine laboratory settings, focusing on turnaround time (TAT), time to results (TTR), hands-on time, and identification rate. Methods: We conducted a time and motion study on three workflow scenarios to simulate different laboratory settings. Overall, 618 bacterial isolates from a tertiary hospital's laboratory were processed using the VITEK MS PRIME (bioMérieux) and the MALDI Biotyper sirius (Bruker Daltonics) and their corresponding databases VITEK IVD Database 3.2 and MBT reference library 12. Results: The target preparation process showed no significant difference in TAT, but the Biotyper workflow had a shorter hands-on time by 3 to 6 min. In the measurement process, TTR was three to five times shorter for the Biotyper sirius while hands-on time was significantly shorter for VITEK MS PRIME (approximately 1.5 min per target). The identification rate without retesting was 97.9% for VITEK MS PRIME and 98.9% for Biotyper sirius. Both systems achieved 100% agreement at genus and 96.2% at species level. Conclusion: Both systems exhibited excellent identification rates for routine bacterial isolates. Due to its high speed, the Biotyper sirius is suited for laboratories with high sample throughput and a workflow designed for processing larger batches. The VITEK MS PRIME, with its "load and go" system accommodating up to 16 targets, reduces hands-on time, making it a reasonable choice for laboratories with fewer identifications overall but a higher number of targets and a workflow designed for parallel processing on different workstations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveA method for the rapid detection of Russula japonica was established based on a visual or real-time fluorescent loop-mediated isothermal amplification （LAMP） strategy.MethodsA LAMP primer group targeting the internal transcribed spacer sequence of R. japonica was designed and primer specificity was tested in 23 mushroom species. The sensitivity of the method was assessed by detecting DNA at a series of concentrations ranging from 10 ng/μL to 1 fg/μL.ResultsThe designed primers specifically identified R. japonica without cross-reaction with the other 22 mushroom species. Both developed LAMP methods could detect as low as 2 pg/μL of a DNA template or 1% R. japonica in different mushroom mixtures.ConclusionThe established method is suitable for rapid on-site identification of R. japonica and can be applied to fresh， dried， or cooked mushroom samples， with a detection time of

Timely pathogen identification in bloodstream infections is crucial for patient care. A comparison is made between positive blood culture (BC) pellets from serum separator tubes using a direct identification (DI) method and colonies on agar plates from a short-term incubation (STI) method with a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Biotyper for the evaluation of 354 monomicrobial BCs. Both the DI and STI methods exhibited similar identification rates for different types of bacteria, except for Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria. The DI method’s results aligned closely with the STI method’s results for Enterobacterales, glucose-non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. The DI method exhibited high concordance with the conventional method for GNB identification, achieving 88.2 and 87.5% accuracy at the genus and species levels, respectively. Compared with the STI method, the DI method showed a less successful performance for Gram-positive bacterial identification (50.5 vs. 71.3%; p < 0.01). The DI method was useful for anaerobic bacterial identification of slow-growing microorganisms without any need for colony growth, unlike in the STI method (46.7 vs. 13.3%; p = 0.04). However, both methods could not identify yeast in positive BCs. Overall, the DI method provided reliable results for GNB identification, offering many advantages over the STI method by significantly reducing the turnaround time and enabling quicker pathogen identification in positive BCs.

Plant diseases pose a significant threat to plant and crop health, leading to reduced yields and economic losses. The traditional methods for diagnosing plant diseases are often invasive and time-consuming and may not always provide accurate results. In recent years, there has been growing interest in utilizing Raman microscopy as a non-invasive and label-free technique for plant disease diagnosis. Raman microscopy is a powerful analytical tool that can provide detailed molecular information about samples by analyzing the scattered light from a laser beam. This technique has the potential to revolutionize plant disease diagnosis by offering rapid and accurate detection of various plant pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. One of the key advantages of Raman microscopy/spectroscopy is its ability to provide real-time and in situ analyses of plant samples. By analyzing the unique spectral fingerprints of different pathogens, researchers can quickly identify the presence of specific diseases without the need for complex sample preparation or invasive procedures. This article discusses the development of a Raman microspectroscopy system for disease diagnosis that can accurately detect and identify various plant pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi.

Legionella pneumophila is a freshwater opportunistic pathogen and the leading cause of severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. It can be found in all water systems and survives in biofilms, free-living amoebae, and a wide variety of facilities, such as air conditioning and showers in hospitals, hotels and spas. The reference cultural method allows for the isolation and identification in many days, and in addition, it does not detect viable but rather non-culturable bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. In this context, a new LAMP-based (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) kit was developed, allowing for the rapid, sensitive, and labor-saving detection of L. pneumophila. The kit, “Legionella pneumophila Glow”, was validated according to ISO/TS 12869:2012, testing sensitivity, inclusivity and exclusivity, and kit robustness. Sensitivity showed that the “Legionella pneumophila Glow” kit can detect up to 28 plasmid copies/µL. Robustness tests showed consistent results, with both contamination levels and the matrices used giving reproducible results. Furthermore, real samples were evaluated to compare the performance of the two methods. The LAMP kit “Legionella pneumophila Glow” proved a useful option for the rapid, efficient, and labor-saving screening of different typologies of water samples, offering significant advantages over the traditional method, as it is characterized by a high sensitivity, ease of use for laboratory testing, and a large reduction in analysis time, making it an asset to official controls.

Abstract Background The Accelerate PhenoTest® BC system (AXDX) is a novel assay for rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). We report an evaluation of its impact on treatment of patients with Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) with a high risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methods A prospective single-center evaluation before and after implementation of AXDX in addition to standard-of-care (SOC) microbiology and antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). Patients with GNB reported during laboratory working hours and prespecified risk factors for AMR were included. The primary outcome was an ASP-oriented beneficial antimicrobial change, defined as either an escalation of an inappropriate empiric treatment or de-escalation of a broad-spectrum treatment of a susceptible organism. Main secondary outcomes were time to an appropriate treatment, antimicrobial treatment duration, length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Results Included were 46 and 57 patients in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively. The median time to an AST-oriented beneficial change was 29.2 h vs. 49.6 h, respectively (p

This study aims to establish a rapid identification method based on the Proofman-LMTIA technique for distinguishing between Panax quinquefolium and Panax ginseng. By targeting specific 18S rDNA sequences, suitable primers and Proofman probes labeled FAM or JOE were designed for LMTIA. Initially, single-species-primer Proofman-LMTIA assays were performed separately for each ginseng type to optimize reaction temperature, assess sensitivity and specificity, and determine the detection limit. Subsequently, both sets of primers and their corresponding probes were combined in the same reaction system to further optimize reaction conditions, evaluate sensitivity, and assess stability. Finally, the developed Proofman-duplex-LMTIA technique was employed to detect P. quinquefolium and P. ginseng slices available in the market. Single-plex Proofman-LMTIA assays revealed that the optimal reaction temperature for both P. quinquefolium and P. ginseng was 62 °C. The sensitivity was as low as 1 pg/μL, with a detection limit of 0.1%, and both showed excellent specificity. The optimal temperature for Proofman-duplex-LMTIA assays was 58 °C. This method could simultaneously identify P. quinquefolium and P. ginseng. Testing 6 samples of P. ginseng and 11 samples of P. quinquefolium from the market resulted in a 100% positive rate for all samples. This study successfully established a rapid, simple, sensitive, and specific Proofman-duplex-LMTIA identification method for P. quinquefolium and P. ginseng. It provides an effective means for quality control of P. quinquefolium, P. ginseng, and related products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the Clostridium spp. counts in corn silage, raw milk and Kaşar cheese and to identify the clostridial isolates causing a late-blowing defect (LBD) potential using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Lactate-fermenting clostridial spores (LFCS) were determined by the most probable number method (MPN) in 14 samples of corn silage, 12 samples of raw milk and 20 samples of Kaşar cheese. 181 isolates were obtained from MPN gas-positive tubes. Gram staining, catalase and oxidase activity, anaerobic development tests and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging showed that 95 isolates were typical clostridial bacteria. Sixty-six isolates could maintain viability during the passage and stock stages. A confirmatory identification technique was then performed using MALDI-TOF MS. The results revealed that (49 out of 66 isolates) of bacteria were correctly identified as 38 (77.55%) Clostridium sporogenes, 6 (12.24%) Clostridium butyricum, 3 (6.12%) Clostridium beijerinckii, 1 (2.04%) Clostridium bifermentans and 1 (2.04%) Clostridium sartagoforme. This study determined that clostridial isolates that cause LBD can be identified successfully and quickly by MALDI-TOF MS, a novel method for detecting anaerobic bacteria.

Hylurgus ligniperda is an imported quarantine plant pest in China. Its identification is usually based on morphological characteristics; therefore, species identification needs high professional requirements of staff and professionals with high experience accumulated through long-term training. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid identification technology, which is based on protein profiles of species. It has been widely used for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Many studies have reported the identification of mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods. The application of MALDI-TOF MS in the identification of H. ligniperda can improve the identification efficiency of H. ligniperda, preventing and control its harm and further spread. To construct a spectra database for H. ligniperda, we analyzed the effect of different factors, such as different body parts, developmental stages, populations, and preservation conditions, on its protein spectrum. We collected protein spectrum profiles from 19 specimens of H. ligniperda and its related species, obtaining 211 protein spectra to construct a reference database and validate identification. The protein spectrum from the chest specimens of H. ligniperda showed many peaks, high intensity, and a stable signal, indicating a successful data establishment. The difference in protein spectra between different regions of the same species was less, but did not affect the identification results. Clear differences were observed in the protein spectrum across many developmental stages. The database established by the adult specimens protein spectrum can accurately identify Dendroctonus valens, Tomicus piniperda, and H. ligniperda. MALDI-TOF MS technology can be used for the rapid identification of H. ligniperda. This method is rapid and direct, and the identification results are robust. It does not require specialized entomological expertise and can be used for customs interception and field investigations.

InstructionPoria (Poria cocos) is known for its health-promoting effects and is consumed as a food due to its potential hypoglycemic activity. However, the composition of Poria is complex, and the bioactive compounds that inhibit α-glucosidase are not clear.MethodsIn this study, the fingerprint of the Poria methanol extract characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the model of the corresponding spectrum-effect relationship for α-glucosidase was first established to screen the active compounds from Poria. Then, the predicted bioactive compounds were knocked out and identified using mass spectrometry. Finally, the potential binding sites and main bonds of each compound with α-glucosidase were studied using molecular docking.ResultsThe results have shown that at least 11 compounds from Poria could inhibit α-glucosidase effectively. Moreover, eight individual compounds, i.e., poricoic acid B (P8), dehydrotumulosic acid (P9), poricoic acid A (P10), polyporenic acid C (P12), 3- epidehydrotumulosic acid (P13), dehydropachymic acid (P14), 3-O-acetyl-16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid (P21), and pachymic acid (P22), were identified, and they exhibited effective inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase.DiscussionThe possible inhibitory mechanism of them based on molecular docking showed that the binding sites are mainly found in the rings A, B, and C of these compounds, and C-3 C-16 and side chains of C-17, with the phenylalanine, arginine, tyrosine, histidine, and valine of α-glucosidase. The main interactions among them might be alkyl and hydrogen bonds, which theoretically verified the inhibitory activity of these compounds on α-glucosidase. The achievements of this study provided useful references for discovering bioactive compounds with hypoglycemic effects from Poria.

Background: The Accelerate PhenoTest® BC system (AXDX) is a novel assay for rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). We report an evaluation of its impact on treatment of patients with Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) with a high risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methods: A prospective single-center evaluation before and after implementation of AXDX in addition to standard-of-care (SOC) microbiology and antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). Patients with GNB reported during laboratory working hours and prespecified risk factors for AMR were included. The primary outcome was an ASP-oriented beneficial antimicrobial change, defined as either an escalation of an inappropriate empiric treatment or de-escalation of a broad-spectrum treatment of a susceptible organism. Main secondary outcomes were time to an appropriate treatment, antimicrobial treatment duration, length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Results: Included were 46 and 57 patients in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively. The median time to an AST-oriented beneficial change was 29.2 h vs. 49.6 h, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the time to appropriate treatment, LOS or mortality. Antimicrobial treatment duration was longer during the intervention period (10 vs. 8 days, p = 0.007). AXDX failed to correctly identify pathogens in all 6 cases of polymicrobial bacteremia. In two cases patient care was potentially compromised due to inappropriate de-escalation. Conclusions: AXDX implementation resulted in a 20.4-hour shorter time to an ASP-oriented beneficial antimicrobial change. This should be weighed against the higher costs, the lack of other proven clinical benefits and the potential harm from mis-identification of polymicrobial bacteremias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Acute abdominal infections can be fatal if the causative organism (s) are misidentified. The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has become a serious problem worldwide, making antibiotic selection extremely difficult. Using quantitative metagenomic analysis, we evaluated a commercial multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system (FilmArrayTM, bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) for the rapid identification of causative bacteria. Methods: The cases of 10 patients with acute abdominal infections were enrolled in this retrospective study. There were six cases of perforated peritonitis and four cases of intraabdominal abscess. Fluid collected from the acute surgical abdominal infections were examined. Results: All specimens tested positive for microorganisms in culture, and six involved two or more microorganisms. Using the multiplex PCR system, nine of ten specimens were found to involve at least one microorganism. One specimen was not included in the multiplex PCR system panel. Nineteen of 21 microorganisms (90.5%) isolated by culture were detected by the multiplex PCR system. Microorganisms with very small numbers of reads (19 reads) were detectable. Conclusion: This multiplex PCR system showed a high detection rate for causative microorganisms in ascites and intraabdominal abscesses. This system may be suitable as an affordable rapid identification system for causative bacteria in these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ordnance Industry Automation is the property of Editorial Board for Ordnance Industry Automation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Heracles ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose was applied to establish a quick and effective differentiation method for American ginseng originated from varied places on the basis of different smell. Methods: Heracles ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose was used to analyze the smell of American ginseng originated from varied places and acquired chromatographic information of smell of sample American ginseng. The chromatographic peaks with strong separation intensity and discrimination ability were screened. Based on Kovats retention index and Arochembase database, the main odorant compounds of American ginseng from different producing areas were characterized. According to the relative odor activity value (ROAV), the contribution degree of the main difference compounds to the odor of American ginseng was analyzed by the odor threshold and relative content of the main difference compounds. PCA and DFA stoichiometry models were used for analysis. Results: Thirteen major differential compounds including propanaldehyde, n-valyl aldehyde and n-hexanal were screened out from ginseng of different origin by Heracles ultra-fast gas-phase electronic nose. Through the ROAV analysis of the main difference compounds, it was determined that n-hexal, propionic aldehyde, dodecal, n-valyl aldehyde, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, methyl butyrate, 2-heptanol were the odor substances that contributed more to the odor of American ginseng. Among them, n-hexal was the key odor compounds that contributed the most to the odor of American ginseng. The contents of n-hexal, n-valental, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine and 2-heptanol were the highest in American ginseng from American . The contents of propionic aldehyde and methyl butyrate were the highest in American ginseng from Canadian. The content of dodecal was the highest in American ginseng from Jilin . PCA and DFA stoichiometric models were established. The recognition index of PCA model was 88. The cumulative discrimination index of DFA model was 100%. It was indicated that both PCA and DFA models could distinguish the odors of American ginseng from different producing areas, which could identify and analyze the odors of American ginseng samples. Conclusion: Heracles ultra-fast gas-phase electronic nose can quickly and effectively distinguish ginseng from different origin. This provides a new scientific basis for tracing the origin of ginseng.

Objectives: Considering the spread of new genetic variants and their impact on public health, it is important to have assays that are able to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 variants. Methods: We retrospectively examined 118 positive nasopharyngeal swabs, first characterized by the Sanger sequencing, using the Simplexa® SARS-CoV-2 Variants Direct assay, with the aim of evaluating the performance of the assay to detect N501Y, G496S, Q498R, Y505H, E484K, E484Q, E484A, and L452R mutations. Results: A total of 111/118 nasopharyngeal swabs were in complete agreement with the Sanger sequencing, whereas the remaining seven samples were not amplified due to the low viral load. The evaluation of the ability of the assay to detect the E484Q mutation was performed using a viral isolate of the SARS-CoV-2 Kappa variant, showing concordance in 15/15 samples. Simplexa® SARS-CoV-2 Variant Direct assay was able to detect mutation pattern of Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants with 100% specificity and 94% sensitivity, whereas 100% sensitivity and specificity for the Kappa variant was observed. Conclusion: The assay can be useful to obtain faster results, contributing to a prompt surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants; however, it requires to be confirmed by the Sanger method, especially in the case of pattern of mutations that are different from those expected and also requires updates as new variants emerge.

Rapid identification of different amino acid responses is of great importance in the field of biomedicine. Through the combination of the drug intermediate pyrimidine with the fluorophore BODIPY, a new type of high-efficiency fluorescent probe for rapid identification of different amino acids was prepared. In terms of photophysical properties, the UV absorption and fluorescence emission of the mercapto groups were observed under the conditions of different hydroperoxide equivalents and different solvents, and the maximum values were in the range of 534–538 and 554–560 nm. When different amino acids were added, the UV absorption and fluorescence emission ranges were 538–540 and 560–564 nm. Finally, the identification sensitivity of amino acids with different equivalents under different oxidant conditions was quickly detected by fluorescence cuvette. Among them, the identification response to tyrosine was the most obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Storage & Process is the property of Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Botryosphaeria species are amongst the most widespread and important canker and dieback pathogens of trees worldwide, with B. dothidea as one of the most common Botryosphaeria species. However, the information related to the widespread incidence and aggressiveness of B. dothidea among various Botryosphaeria species causing trunk cankers is still poorly investigated. In this study, the metabolic phenotypic diversity and genomic differences of four Chinese hickory canker-related Botryosphaeria pathogens, including B. dothidea, B. qingyuanensis, B. fabicerciana, and B. corticis, were systematically studied to address the competitive fitness of B. dothidea. Large-scale screening of physiologic traits using a phenotypic MicroArray/OmniLog system (PMs) found B. dothidea has a broader spectrum of nitrogen source and greater tolerance toward osmotic pressure (sodium benzoate) and alkali stress among Botryosphaeria species. Moreover, the annotation of B. dothidea species-specific genomic information via a comparative genomics analysis found 143 B. dothidea species-specific genes that not only provides crucial cues in the prediction of B. dothidea species-specific function but also give a basis for the development of a B. dothidea molecular identification method. A species-specific primer set Bd_11F/Bd_11R has been designed based on the sequence of B. dothidea species-specific gene jg11 for the accurate identification of B. dothidea in disease diagnoses. Overall, this study deepens the understanding in the widespread incidence and aggressiveness of B. dothidea among various Botryosphaeria species, providing valuable clues to assist in trunk cankers management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate detection of collapsed buildings is of great significance for post-disaster rescue and reconstruction. High-resolution optical images are important data sources for identifying collapsed buildings, and the identification accuracy mainly depends on the features extracted from the images. However, existing research lacks a comprehensive screening and general evaluation of the ability of remote sensing features to detect collapsed buildings, and there is still a considerable gap in the operational process of rapid identification of collapsed buildings in remote sensing. Based on 2630 pairs of building samples distributed in 6 regions worldwide, this study evaluated the ability of 25 remote sensing features (including spectral and spatial features) to detect collapsed buildings and select the most capable ones. Then, we test the application effect of selected features in identifying collapsed buildings on large-scale remote sensing images. Based on the two experiments above, an operational process for rapid identification of collapsed buildings was suggested. The result shows that Homogeneity, Energy, Local Entropy, Local Standard Deviation, and Gradient can effectively and stably distinguish collapsed buildings from non-collapsed buildings (Jeffries-Matusita distances are greater than 1.59 and Transformed Divergences are greater than 1.60) and have high recognition accuracy for collapsed buildings on large-scale remote sensing images (F1-scores are 0.71–0.94). In addition, Contrast, Local Coefficient of Variation, Edge Density, and Global Entropy can also distinguish collapsed buildings from non-collapsed buildings at a normal level (Jeffries-Matusita distances are 1.14–1.28, and Transformed Divergences are 1.24–1.48), while Gradient Orientation Entropy, Fractal Dimension, Local Binary Patterns, Edge, Local Mean, Correlation, Gradient Orientation Standard Deviation, Global Coefficient of Variation, Gabor feature, Local Moran’I, and six spectral features have relatively weak abilities (Jeffries-Matusita distances are less than 0.73, and Transformed Divergences are less than 1.07). The selected remote sensing features can support rapid identification of potential collapsed building areas from post-disaster remote sensing images.

Objective. To present the results of using in-house method for rapid identification of fungi from funguspositive bottles with routine conventional culture-based identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in patients with bloodstream infection. Materials and Methods. Prospective study was performed from 2016 to 2019 at the National Research Center for Hematology, Moscow. During the study period, all blood cultures (BC) bottles obtained from hematological patients were incubated in the BACTEC FX system (Becton Dickinson, USA). Positive BC bottles were examined by Gram stain. In house method was used after Gram stain was positive for yeast cells or hyphae. For that, BC media was transfer from fungus-positive bottles into tube. In house method included series section steps consisted from centrifugation and extraction of fungal proteins by adding of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Routine conventional culture-based identification on Sabouraud with chloramphenicol agar (bioMerieux, France) for yeasts and on Sabouraud dextrose agar (Oxoid, UK) for molds was used simultaneously with the in house method. Results. During the study period, 16 fungus-positive bottles were obtained from which were isolated in monoculture 14 (87.5%) Candida spp.: C. parapsilosis (n = 5), C. tropicalis (n = 4), C. albicans (n = 3), C. krusei (n = 1), C. guilliermondii (n = 1), one (6.3%) Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and one (6.3%) Fusarium dimerum. The in house method resulted in 75% (12/16) and 68.8% (11/16) identification rate at the genus and species level of fungi, respectively. The identification of fungi to species level was confirmed by conventional culture-based method in all cases. The median time from the start of vial incubation in BACTEC FX system to identification of fungi by in house method was less than conventional culture-based identification: 36 hrs 20 min vs 55 hrs 31 min (p = 0.028). Conclusions. A high rate of correct direct species identification and significant reduction in time to verification of fungi from fungus-positive bottles by in house method were obtained. The proposed in house method should be recommended for use in real microbiology practice to reduce the time for submitting results of identification to clinical units.

Objective. To identify protocols for rapid identification of bacteria by MALDI-TOF from positive blood cultures that are as accurate as standardized ones. Methods. A bibliographic review was conducted on experimental articles, systematic reviews, experimental studies, and diagnostic test studies on the rapid identification of bacteria by MALDI-TOF from positive blood cultures. The QUADAS-2 tool was applied to evaluate the risk of bias in the articles. Results. There are various methodologies for the rapid identification of bacteria from positive blood cultures, all with a processing time of no more than one hour and with materials accessible in laboratories. These methodologies, such as Sepsityper and artisanal methods, achieve good accuracy in identifying Gram-negative bacteria, but there are still limitations in identifying Gram-positive bacteria depending on the genus and species of the bacterium. It is important to note that the quality of evidence in most studies is moderate, so the results should be taken with caution. Conclusion. There are several methodologies for rapid identification of bacteria in positive blood cultures, with short processing times and accessible materials in laboratories, that achieve good accuracy in identifying Gram-negative bacteria but have limitations in identifying Gram-positive bacteria. The quality of evidence is moderate, indicating that further studies with better design and higher quality and certainty results are needed to draw inferences obtained.

Respiratory infections rank fourth in the global economic burden of disease. Lower respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of death in low-income countries. The rapid identification of pathogens causing lower respiratory tract infections to help guide the use of antibiotics can reduce the mortality of patients with lower respiratory tract infections. Single-cell Raman spectroscopy is a “whole biological fingerprint” technique that can be used to identify microbial samples. It has the advantages of no marking and fast and non-destructive testing. In this study, single-cell Raman spectroscopy was used to collect spectral data of six respiratory tract pathogen isolates. The T-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) isolation analysis algorithm was used to compare the dierences between the six respiratory tract pathogens. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was used to establish a Raman phenotype database model. The classification accuracy of the isolated samples was 93–100%, and the classification accuracy of the clinical samples was more than 80%. Combined with heavy water labeling technology, the drug resistance of respiratory tract pathogens was determined. The study showed that single-cell Raman spectroscopy–D2O (SCRS–D2O) labeling could rapidly identify the drug resistance of respiratory tract pathogens within 2 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work proposes an original method for modeling and simulating the triggering of 110 kV interconnection power lines in case of common faults, such as transient or persistent faults. Urban and industrial areas, surrounding urban areas, require a high energy consumption that is being supplied through 110 kV overhead power lines, responsible for distributing power to the industrial and domestic consumers. High voltage distribution power lines are most prone to failure, due to their exposure, affecting a large number of consumers if a fault occurs. Faults of power lines in service certify that currently there is no perfectly controllable operation mode in terms of load rating, environmental factors, insulation resistance, or mechanical resistance, which would allow total avoidance of faults, it is only possible to reduce the impact they have on the network as a whole. Mathematical models have been developed to determine the experimental voltage and current responses describing the fault propagation, expressed as a 7th-degree polynomial curve, as a second-order transfer function or as the Gaussian model type. By comparing these mathematical models, the most probable answers that can lead to the development of a control structure for rapid identification of a fault were obtained, with the possibility of triggering the line protection relay. In the final part of the manuscript, the viability of applying artificial intelligence techniques, for the approached fault management application, is proven. The developed control structure evaluates the nature of the fault and determines a faster reaction of the line protection causing an increase in the performance of the distribution service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]