We have recovered one blaNDM-1-harboring bacterial strain, designated as XM1570, from a sputum sample obtained from a fatal case of pneumonia in China. Biochemical profiling, 16S rRNA sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed. Conjugation experiments were conducted to determine transmissibility of resistance. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole genome sequencing were performed to identify strain-specific features. The isolate XM1570 was identified as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Whole genome sequencing identified two plasmids, pXM1 and pXM2. Comparative analysis showed >99% similarity between XM1570 and A. calcoaceticus PHEA-2. Plasmid pXM1 carried the carbapenemase gene blaNDM-1 and displayed high homology with previously described plasmids isolated from different Acinetobacter spp., which were collected from human or livestock distributed in China and worldwide. The blaNDM-1 gene was located on this conjugative plasmid in a transposon-like region flanked by two copies of the insertion sequence ISAba125; and resistance to all tested β-lactams was observed. Transferability of resistance from pXM1 to the transconjugants was identified. Plasmid pXM2 had an insertion sequence ISAba125 and a −35 region of the blaNDM-1 gene promoter but the blaNDM-1 gene was not present. A chromosomally located carbapenemase-encoding gene blaOXA-75 was detected; however, this gene was interrupted by an insertion sequence ISAba22 belonging to IS3 family. Location of blaNDM-1 on different self-transmissible plasmids could facilitate geographically broad dissemination and host range expansion of the blaNDM-1 gene via horizontal gene transfer. Our findings of this normally environmental species A. calcoaceticus XM1570 further underline the significant clinical challenge and the essential need for surveillance including molecular methods and plasmid analyses.

Antibacterial Activity and Mode of Action of Mentha arvensis Ethanol Extract against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Background: Evidence from previous studies have implicated an important association between gut microbiota (GM) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), but whether there is a definite causal relationship between GM and ME/CFS has not been elucidated.Method: This study obtained instrumental variables of 211 GM taxa from the Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS), and mendelian randomization (MR) study was carried out to assess the effect of gut microbiota on ME/CFS risk from UK Biobank GWAS (2076 ME/CFS cases and 460,857 controls). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the primary method to analyze causality in this study, and a series of sensitivity analyses was performed to validate the robustness of the results.Results: The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method indicated that genus Paraprevotella (OR:1.001, 95%CI:1.000–1.003, value of p < 0.05) and Ruminococca- ceae_UCG_014 (OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.000 to 1.005, value of p < 0.05) were positively associated with ME/CFS risk. Results from the weighted median method supported genus Paraprevotella (OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.000 to 1.005, value of p < 0.05) as a risk factor for ME/CFS.Conclusion: This study reveals a causal relationship between genus paraprevotella, genus Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014 and ME/CFS, and our findings provide novel insights for further elucidating the developmental mechanisms mediated by the gut microbiota of ME/CFS.

Background: Previous observational studies have shown that there is an important relationship between gut microbiota and hypertension, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to examine whether the gut microbiota is causally related to hypertension in order to find a basis for potential diagnostic or intervention approaches for hypertension.Methods: We obtained significant single nucleotide polymorphisms related to gut microbiota and hypertension from publicly available genome-wide association studies for a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. A total of 18,340 individual genome-wide genotype data were included from 24 population-based cohorts. The inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis is the main analytical method for evaluating causal relationships, and the Mendelian randomization research results have been validated through a series of sensitivity analyses.Results: The inverse-variance weighted analysis results indicated that phylum Verrucomicrobia (OR:0.831, 95%CI: 0.710–0.972; p = 0.021), family BacteroidalesS24.7group (OR:0.672, 95%CI: 0.496–0.911; p = 0.01), family Bifidobacteriaceae (OR:0.709, 95%CI:0.569–0.884, p = 0.002), genus Adlercreutzia (OR: 0.991, 95%CI: 0.982–0.999, p = 0.035), genus Phascolarctacterium (OR:0.819, 95%CI:0.685–0.981; p = 0.03), genus LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group (OR:0.990, 95%CI:0.981–0.999; p = 0.025), and genus Ruminococcus2 (OR:0.988, 95%CI: 0.979–0.997; p = 0.008) had protective causal effects on hypertension. The Family Alcaliginaceae (OR:1.011, 95%CI:1.000–1.021, p = 0.04), Genus Anaerostipes (OR:1.375, 95%CI:1.096–1.653; p = 0.025), Genus Collinsella (OR:1.899, 95%CI:1.361–2.348; p = 0.02), and Genus Lachnospiraceae_UCG_010 (OR:1.536, 95%CI:1.072–2.202; p = 0.019) were associated with a higher risk of HTN. The reverse Mendelian randomization analysis results showed no reverse causal relationship between HTN and these bacterial taxa.Conclusion: Our Mendelian randomization analysis results indicate a potential causal relationship between these bacterial taxa and hypertension, providing a new perspective for the treatment and prevention of hypertension.

Rationale: Habitual abortion is caused by complex and diverse factors, such as genetic factors, immune factors, endocrine factors, viruses, bacterial infections, and so on. Allogeneic antibodies, generated due to blood-group incompatibilities between a female and her fetus, are sometimes important for habitual abortion. Patient concerns: A 26-year-old woman had undergone abortions 3 times in July 2015 (17 weeks pregnant), March 2017 (15 weeks of gestation) and February 2018 (16 weeks pregnant) before she came to the Reproductive Medicine Center of our hospital for prenatal examinations without pregnancy. Diagnoses: Unexplained habitual abortion. Interventions: A series of serological tests and nucleotide sequence of 1,4-galactosyltransferase (A4GALT) gene were performed. Outcomes: The patient was the rare p phenotype in P1P(k) blood system and the patient's habitual abortion was caused by anti-PP1P(k) antibody which was generated naturally in persons with p phenotype. There was a mutation (903C>G, CCC>CCG) in the 3rd exon of A4GALT gene, which is likely a significant contributor to p phenotype. Lessons: This is the first case of habitual abortion caused by p phenotype due to independent 903C>G homozygous mutation with no similar record reported before, which indicates that it is a new class of mutation that leads to p phenotype.

Background: Kidney transplantation remains the most effective therapeutic intervention, significantly enhancing long-term survival rates and overall well-being. Patients undergoing kidney transplantation face challenges in terms of their physical, psychological and social adaptation, such as anxiety, depression and psychological stress resulting from changes in their lifestyle. Existing studies with insufficient analysis of psychological and social factors and systematic intervention strategies. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the current stress levels status of patients after kidney transplantation. Analyze influencing factors, and explore targeted intervention strategies, with the goal of informing comprehensive patient management and improving long-term outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling recipients who underwent kidney transplantation at a tertiary-level hospital in Fujian Province between June 2019 and December 2024. A total of 202 valid questionnaires were collected. Demographic characteristics, disease-related information, and current stress levels were collected through questionnaire surveys. Independent samples t-tests or one-way ANOVA were performed on total stress scores. Variables with p < 0.05 were included in multiple linear regression analysis to assess the combined effects of independent variables on total stress scores. Results: A total of 202 samples were included. The patients’ total stress score was 57.78 ± 12.73, with an average score of 2.41 ± 0.53 per item. Kidney transplant recipients generally experience moderate stress levels, with financial situation having the highest average score (2.91 ± 1.07), while the mean score for romantic and marital psychology is the lowest (1.86 ± 1.00). The economic situation of the family, factors related to the disease and knowledge of postoperative recovery are important factors that influence the level of stress experienced by patients ( p < 0.05), accounting for 48.5% of the variance in stress levels. Conclusion: Kidney transplant recipients exhibited moderate levels of stress, with economic circumstances representing a predominant source of stress. The economic status of the patient’s family, factors associated with the illness, and knowledge of postoperative recovery had a significant impact on the overall stress levels. To alleviate stress and enhance the quality of life for these patients, it is recommended that financial assistance be provided, enhanced post-transplant management and educational programmes be implemented to promote knowledge about the condition.