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Here, we report 11 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) reconstructed from freshwater and saltwater aquaria, including representatives of Polynucleobacter, Anaerolinea, Roseobacter, Flavobacteriia, Octadecabacter, Mycobacterium, and Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) members. These MAGs can serve as a resource for aquatic research and elucidating the role of CPR taxa in the built environment.

AimExtended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) Escherichia coli are a public threat worldwide. This study aimed at analyzing the genomic and functional attributes of nine ESBLs taken from rectal swabs.Materials & methodsSamples were isolated from patients admitted for gastrointestinal and urological procedures at the University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital (UMCRH) in Lebanon. Illumina paired-end libraries were prepared and sequenced.ResultsThe isolates were distributed into five lineages: ST131, ST648, ST405, ST73 and ST38, and harbored bla OXA-1, bla TEM-1B, bla TEM-1C and aac(6')Ib-cr. ST131 isolates were carriers of stx2 converting I phage.ConclusionThis is the first comprehensive genomic analysis performed on ESBLs in Lebanon.

AimExtended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) Escherichia coli are a public threat worldwide. This study aimed at analyzing the genomic and functional attributes of nine ESBLs taken from rectal swabs.Materials & methodsSamples were isolated from patients admitted for gastrointestinal and urological procedures at the University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital (UMCRH) in Lebanon. Illumina paired-end libraries were prepared and sequenced.ResultsThe isolates were distributed into five lineages: ST131, ST648, ST405, ST73 and ST38, and harbored bla OXA-1, bla TEM-1B, bla TEM-1C and aac(6')Ib-cr. ST131 isolates were carriers of stx2 converting I phage.ConclusionThis is the first comprehensive genomic analysis performed on ESBLs in Lebanon.

We present here the draft genome sequences of multidrug-resistant blaNDM-1-positive Acinetobacter baumannii strains ACMH-6200 and ACMH-6201, isolated in north Lebanon from civilians wounded during the Syrian civil war. The draft genomes were contained in 217 contigs for ACMH-6200 and 83 contigs for ACMH-6201, including a combined 3,997,237 bases for ACMH-6200 and 3,983,110 bases for ACMH-6201, with 39% and 38.9% G+C content, respectively.

We present the draft genome of highly drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae KGM-IMP216, isolated from a urine sample collected from a patient in Lebanon. The draft genome sequence consisted of 77 contigs, including a combined 5,731,500 bases with 57% G+C content.

Streptococcus pyogenes is a very important human pathogen, commonly associated with skin or throat infections but can also cause life-threatening situations including sepsis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, and necrotizing fasciitis. Various studies involving typing and molecular characterization of S. pyogenes have been published to date; however next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies provide a comprehensive collection of an organism's genetic variation. In this study, the genomes of nine S. pyogenes isolates associated with pharyngitis and skin infection were sequenced and studied for the presence of virulence genes, resistance elements, prophages, genomic recombination, and other genomic features. Additionally, a comparative phylogenetic analysis of the isolates with global clones highlighted their possible evolutionary lineage and their site of infection. The genomes were found to also house a multitude of features including gene regulation systems, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.

ObjectiveThe emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria is now a critical concern. The ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae constitutes one of the most common multidrug-resistant (MDR) groups of gram-negative bacteria involved in nosocomial infections worldwide. In this study we report on the molecular characterization through whole genome sequencing of an ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae strain, LAU-KP1, isolated from a stool sample from a patient admitted for a gastrointestinal procedure/surgery at the Lebanese Amrican University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital (LAUMCRH) in Lebanon.MethodsIllumina paired-end libraries were prepared and sequenced, which resulted in 4,220,969 high-quality reads. All sequence processing and assembly were performed using the A5 assembly pipeline.ResultsThe initial assembly produced 86 contigs, for which no scaffolding was obtained. The final collection of contigs was submitted to GenBank. The final draft genome sequence consists of a combined 5,632,663 bases with 57% G+C content. Automated annotation was performed using the RAST annotation server. Sequencing analysis revealed that the isolate harbored different β-lactamase genes, including bla oxa-1, bla CTX-M-15, bla SHV-11, and bla TEM-1b. The isolate was also characterized by the concomitant presence of other resistance determinants most notably acc(6')-lb-cr and qnrb1. The entire plasmid content was also investigated and revealed homology with four major plasmids pKPN-IT, pBS512_2, pRSF1010_SL1344, and pKPN3.ConclusionsThe potential role of K. pneumonia as a reservoir for ESBL genes and other resistance determinants is along with the presence of key factors that favor the spread of antimicrobial resistance a clear cause of concern and the problem that Carbapenem-non-susceptible ESBL isolates are posing in hospitals should be reconsidered through systematic exploration and molecular characterization.

We present the draft genome sequences of nine clinical Streptococcus pyogenes isolates recovered from patients suffering from sore throat and skin infections. An average of 2,454,334 paired-end reads per sample were generated, which assembled into 21 to 198 contigs, with a G+C content of 38.4 to 38.5%.

We present the draft genome sequences of nine extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from stool samples collected from patients admitted for gastrointestinal and urological procedures/surgeries. An average of 3,889,300 paired-end reads per sample were generated, which assembled in 77 to 157 contigs.

We present the draft genome sequence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a stool sample collected from a patient admitted for a gastrointestinal procedure. The draft genome sequence consists of 86 contigs, including a combined 5,632,663 bases with 57% G+C content.

Drug discovery was initially attributed to coincidence or experimental research. Historically, the traditional approaches were complex, lengthy, and expensive, entailing costly random screening of synthesized compounds or natural products coupled with in vivo validation largely depending on the availability of appropriate animal models. Currently, in silico modeling has become a vital tool for drug discovery and repurposing. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations are being used to find the best match between a ligand and a molecule, an approach that could help predict the biomolecular interactions between the drug and the target host. Beauvericin (BEA) is an emerging mycotoxin produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, being originally studied for its potential use as a pesticide. BEA is now considered a molecule of interest for its possible use in diverse biotechnological applications in the pharmaceutical industry and medicine. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of the repurposing of BEA as a potential therapeutic agent for multiple diseases. Furthermore, considerable emphasis is given to the fundamental role of in silico techniques to (i) further investigate the activity spectrum of BEA, a secondary metabolite, and (ii) elucidate its mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpyrifos poses a danger to the environment as a result of its toxicity and endurance in soil and water. Bioremediation of pesticide-polluted soils is one of the most promising approaches for removing contaminants from the environment. This study aimed to isolate and identify chlorpyrifos-degrading bacterial strains and test their biodegradation capabilities and their roles in plant growth. The 16S rDNA gene sequencing identified the two efficient chlorpyrifos-degrading bacterial strains as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (RS1) and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (RS3), which significantly (p < 0.01) degraded 71.3% and 73.5% of chlorpyrifos in the liquid medium, respectively, compared to 80% degradation (p < 0.01) when cultured as a consortium within 48 h. The bioremediation of artificially chlorpyrifos-contaminated soils varied between 84.4% and 90.11% (p < 0.01), depending on the used bacterium and soil sterilization status. Furthermore, the enzymes embroiled in the degradation mechanism were sprinkled all over the cells but with different portions. Experiments on plant growth revealed that chlorpyrifos hurt lettuce growth. The presence of RS1 and RS3, on the other hand, demonstrated considerable lettuce growth-enhancing traits in terms of germination percentages, shoot and root lengths and weights. Our isolates could be promising candidates in the bioremediation of chlorpyrifos-contaminated sites in conjunction with their contribution as biofertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]