A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detection pH and Cu2+ Ion Base on 7-((2-Aminoethyl)amino)-5-Bromo-6-Hydroxy-1-Methylquinolin-1-ium-3-Sulfonate: Experimental and DFT Calculation

A quinoline derivative 7-((2-aminoethyl)amino)-5-bromo-6-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-1-ium-3-sulfonate (QEt) containing quinoline ring, -[Formula: see text] sulfonate, -OH phenol, and amine groups was synthesized and studied luminescence properties. The aqueous solutions QEt 10µM change luminescence color from green (λem = 490 nm) to yellow (λem = 563 nm) as increasing pH and the intensity at a peak of 563 nm is linearly proportional with pH value in the range of pH = 3,0-4,0. The QEt solution can be used as a chemosensor for Cu2+ with an LOD value at 0.66 [Formula: see text]. Along with the experiment, the structure, absorption and emission spectra of QEt have been investigated by TD-DFT calculation. The result shows that the absorption band centered at 420 nm is due to the electron transition from HOMO to LUMO (π → π*). The results also help to assign emission band centered at 490 nm is due to the S1 → S0 transition (LUMO → HOMO singlet transition), at 563 nm is due to the T1 → S0 transition (LUMO → HOMO triplet transition). The dependence of the relative intensity of each emission peak on pH, which is experimentally recorded, is explained based on the results of theoretical TD-DFT calculation.

Characterization of Shigella flexneri in northern Vietnam in 2012-2016

Introduction

Shigellosis remains a considerable public health concern in developing countries. Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei are prevalent worldwide and S. sonnei has been replacing S. flexneri .

Gap Statement

S. flexneri still causes outbreaks of shigellosis in northern Vietnam but limited information is available on its genetic characteristics.

Aim

This study aimed to characterize the genetic characteristics of S. flexneri strains from northern Vietnam.

Methodology

This study used 17 isolates from eight incidents, collected in northern Vietnam between 2012 and 2016. The samples were subjected to whole genome sequencing, molecular serotyping, cluster analysis and identification of antimicrobial resistance genes. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis was performed including isolates from previous studies.

Results

Clusters were identified according to spatiotemporal backgrounds. The results suggested that two incidents in Yen Bai province in 2015 and 2016 were derived from a very recent common ancestor. All isolates belonged to phylogroup (PG) 3, which was divided into two sub-lineages. Thirteen of 17 isolates, including those from the Yen Bai incidents, belonged to sub-lineage Sub-1 and were serotyped as 1a. The remaining four isolates belonged to sub-lineage Sub-2 and were the globally predominant serotype 2a. The Sub-1 S. flexneri isolates possessed the gtrI gene, which encodes the glycosyl transferase that determines serotype 1a, with bacteriophage elements in the vicinity.

Conclusion

This study revealed two PG3 sub-lineages of S. flexneri in northern Vietnam, of which Sub-1 might be specific to the region.

Genomic characterization of endemic diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Escherichia albertii from infants with diarrhea in Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a group of bacterial pathogens that causes life-threatening diarrhea in children in developing countries. However, there is limited information on the characteristics of DEC isolated from patients in these countries. A detailed genomic analysis of 61 DEC-like isolates from infants with diarrhea was performed to clarify and share the characteristics of DEC prevalent in Vietnam.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

DEC was classified into 57 strains, including 33 enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (54.1%), 20 enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (32.8%), two enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) (3.3%), one enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and one ETEC/EIEC hybrid (1.6% each), and surprisingly into four Escherichia albertii strains (6.6%). Furthermore, several epidemic DEC clones showed an uncommon combination of pathotypes and serotypes, such as EAEC Og130:Hg27, EAEC OgGp9:Hg18, EAEC OgX13:H27, EPEC OgGp7:Hg16, and E. albertii EAOg1:HgUT. Genomic analysis also revealed the presence of various genes and mutations associated with antibiotic resistance in many isolates. Strains that demonstrate potential resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, drugs recommended for treating childhood diarrhea, accounted for 65.6% and 41%, respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our finding indicate that the routine use of these antibiotics has selected resistant DECs, resulting in a situation where these drugs do not provide in therapeutic effects for some patients. Bridging this gap requires continuous investigations and information sharing regarding the type and distribution of endemic DEC and E. albertii and their antibiotic resistance in different countries.

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Fluorescence and Quantum Chemical Investigations of some Multi-Substituted Quinoline Derivatives

Starting from eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) three new quinoline derivatives, namely 5-bromo-7-(carboxymethoxy)-6-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-1-ium-3-sulfonate (Q2, C₁₂H₁₀BrNO₇S), 5-amino-7-(carboxymethoxy)-6-hydroxyquinolin-1-ium-3-sulfonate (Q4, C₁₁H₁₀N₂O₇S) and 7-(carboxymethoxy)-5,6-dihydroxylquinolin-1-ium-3-sulfonate (Q6, C₁₁H₉NO₈), have been synthesized and crystallised as dihydrate. The best planes through the quinoline ring and the carboxymethoxy substituent is 6.60 (14), 7.28 (6) and 4.73 (7)° for Q2, Q4 and Q6, respectively. The crystal packing of Q2 is characterised by O-H…O, π …π and Br …pyridine interactions. The two water molecules bridge three sulphate groups. Infinite chains of Q4 running in the direction [021] are formed by O/N-H …O hydrogen bonds at both ends of the molecule. Parallel chains interact by O/N-H…O hydrogen bonds and π…π and C=O…phenyl stacking. The -NH₂ substituent bridges two sulphate groups, while the two water molecules bridge the other functional groups. The packing of Q6 consists of sheets of molecules interaction through O/N-H…O hydrogen bonds while the two water molecules bridge all function groups present. Parallel sheets interact through π…π and C=O…pyridine stacking. An aqueous solution of Q2 and its precursor 7-(carboxymethoxy)-6-hydroxyquinolin-1-ium-3-sulfonate (Q) exhibits fluorescence which is pH dependent. The fluorescence intensity of a 10 μM solution of Q containing Zn²⁺ reaches its maximum for a [Zn²⁺]:[Q] ratio of 1:1. The fluorescence properties of Q, Q2, Q4 and Q6 were further investigated by DFT calculation methods.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay was developed. It was designed for recognizing Vibrio cholerae O1/O139, where atpA, rfbN, and wfbR genes were adopted. The assay specifically detected the target with sensitivities of 5-67 copies per reaction in 1 h. The assay will aid rapid detection of the cholera bacterium.

Enhancement of Rhodamine B Degradation by Ag Nanoclusters-Loaded g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets

In this paper, silver (Ag) nanoclusters-loaded graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets are synthesized and their physical properties as well as photocatalytic activities are systematically investigated by different techniques. The existence of Ag atoms in the form of nanoclusters (NCs) rather than well-crystallized nanoparticles are evidenced by X-ray diffraction patterns, SEM images, and XPS spectra. The deposition of Ag nanoclusters on the surface of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets affect the crystal structure and slightly reduce the band gap energy of g-C₃N₄. The sharp decrease of photoluminescence intensity indicates that g-C₃N₄/Ag heterojunctions successfully prevent the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. The photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized photocatalysts are demonstrated through the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solutions under Xenon lamp irradiation. It is demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity depends strongly on the molar concentration of Ag⁺ in the starting solution. The g-C₃N₄/Ag heterojunctions prepared from 0.01 M of Ag⁺ starting solution exhibit the highest photocatalytic efficiency and allow 100% degradation of RhB after being exposed for 60 min under a Xenon lamp irradiation, which is four times faster than that of pure g-C₃N₄ nanosheets.

Molecular epidemiology of Vibrio cholerae O1 in northern Vietnam (2007-2009), using multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis

Cholera is an infectious disease of major concern in Vietnam and other Asian countries. In 2009, there was a large outbreak of cholera in northern Vietnam. To investigate relationships among isolates of the causative pathogen Vibrio cholerae in this region since 2007, we carried out a multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of 170 isolates collected between 2007 and 2009. A total of 24 MLVA types were identified using seven loci. Five clones (1-5) were identified using five loci of the large V. cholerae chromosome; clones 1 and 2 were major, and the others were minor. Clone 1 isolates were responsible for the 2009 outbreak. A shift in the predominant clone occurred between 2007 and 2009, with clone 1 likely derived from clone 2. Moreover, the former was less diverse than the latter, suggesting a single source of cholera dissemination. Epidemiological data indicated a wavelet prior to the large outbreak, suggesting that drinking water source or food chain became contaminated during dissemination. Our results reveal the utility of MLVA for analysis of V. cholerae isolates within a relatively short period and broaden our understanding of its transmission and response to cholera.

Characterization of Vibrio cholerae O139 of an Aquatic Isolate in Northern Vietnam

During the cholera survey in Namdinh province (northern Vietnam) in July, 2010, one strain of Vibrio cholerae O139 was isolated from 7 environmental water samples positive for ctxA, toxR,VCO139 genes and named as V. cholerae O139, ND1 strain. This strain was lysogenic harbouring a genome similar to the filamentous phage fs1. The replicative form DNA of this phage (named as ND1-fs1, 6856 bp) was sequenced and compared with the other filamentous phages. The filamentous phage ND1-fs1 integrates into the region between ctxB and rtxA genes. The genetic organization of the CTXϕ of V. cholerae O139, strain ND1 was determined and the schematic representation of the genetic organization was shown together with the ND1-fs1 prophage.

Two different mechanisms of ampicillin resistance operating in strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 independent of resistance genes

Autoagglutinable strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 (seven nonfimbriate strains and one fimbriate strain) were transformed to obtain resistance to ampicillin. Two distinct mechanisms were found in these strains. One was operating in nonfimbriate strains by reducing OmpU protein production and the other was operating in a fimbriate strain (Bgd17) by newly overproducing cpxP protein. The twitching motility in the fimbriate Bgd17 strain disappeared depending on the production of cpxP protein, suggesting that fimbriation of V. cholerae O1 is controlled by a two-component signal transduction system.

Filamentous vibriophage fs2 encoding the rstC gene integrates into the same chromosomal region as the CTX phage [corrected]

The genome of the filamentous phage of Vibrio cholerae fs2 was found to contain rstC and rstB1 (truncated) genes downstream of ORF500. att-fs2-dir and att-fs2-rev sequences homologous to that of att-CTXphi were found between orf500 and rstC of the fs2 genome. This prompted us to search for the integration site of fs2 in the genomes of V. cholerae O1 and O139. The genome of fs2 was found to integrate downstream of attRS of the CTXphi phage, which integrated into chromosome I of V. cholerae O1 and O139. When infected with fs2, a fimbriate strain of V. cholerae O1 appeared to reduce fimbrial production in an adult rabbit ileal loop assay.