In this retrospective study, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data generated on an Ion Torrent platform was used to predict phenotypic drug resistance profiles for first- and second-line drugs among Swedish clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from 2016 to 2018. The accuracy was ~99% for all first-line drugs and 100% for four second-line drugs. Our analysis supports the introduction of WGS into routine diagnostics, which might, at least in Sweden, replace phenotypic drug susceptibility testing in the future.

Addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) to standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing medium reveals certain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains to be highly susceptible to β-lactams. We investigated the prevalence of this phenotype (NaHCO₃ responsiveness) to two β-lactams among 58 clinical MRSA bloodstream isolates. Of note, ~75% and ~36% of isolates displayed the NaHCO₃ responsiveness phenotype to cefazolin (CFZ) and oxacillin (OXA), respectively. Neither intrinsic β-lactam MICs in standard Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) nor population analysis profiles were predictive of this phenotype. Several genotypic markers (clonal complex 8 [CC8]; agr I and spa t008) were associated with NaHCO₃ responsiveness for OXA.

We report a systematic, cellular phenotype-based antimalarial screening of the Medicines for Malaria Venture Pathogen Box collection, which facilitated the identification of specific blockers of late-stage intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum. First, from standard growth inhibition assays, we identified 173 molecules with antimalarial activity (50% effective concentration [EC₅₀] ≤ 10 μM), which included 62 additional molecules over previously known antimalarial candidates from the Pathogen Box. We identified 90 molecules with EC₅₀ of ≤1 μM, which had significant effect on the ring-trophozoite transition, while 9 molecules inhibited the trophozoite-schizont transition and 21 molecules inhibited the schizont-ring transition (with ≥50% parasites failing to proceed to the next stage) at 1 μM. We therefore rescreened all 173 molecules and validated hits in microscopy to prioritize 12 hits as selective blockers of the schizont-ring transition. Seven of these molecules inhibited the calcium ionophore-induced egress of Toxoplasma gondii, a related apicomplexan parasite, suggesting that the inhibitors may be acting via a conserved mechanism which could be further exploited for target identification studies. We demonstrate that two molecules, MMV020670 and MMV026356, identified as schizont inhibitors in our screens, induce the fragmentation of DNA in merozoites, thereby impairing their ability to egress and invade. Further mechanistic studies would facilitate the therapeutic exploitation of these molecules as broadly active inhibitors targeting late-stage development and egress of apicomplexan parasites relevant to human health.

Ancestors is the latest attempt to gamify millions of years of evolution but doesn't have the excitement gene, says Jacob Aron

An AI can detect the presence of smells and even distinguish between scents like ammonia or carbon monoxide, which could be useful for detecting hazardous odours

On Friday afternoon, I had a fun, wide-ranging conversation with Rosie O’Donnell, the renowned comedian, daytime TV host, philanthropist, and Trump Enemy No. 1.

The occasion for our talk was I Know This Much Is True, an HBO miniseries premiering May 10 which sees the A League of Their Own star flex her dramatic muscles like never before as Lisa Sheffer, a no-nonsense social worker at a mental health facility housing Thomas Birdsey (Mark Ruffalo).

Over the course of our chat—which will run Monday, May 11—we touched on not only the show (she is excellent) but Trump’s years-long vendetta against her, the Tara Reade allegations, and the untimely death of SMILF amid claims of misconduct against creator and star Frankie Shaw.

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The best picture of the sun is more than five times more detailed than the previous highest-resolution images, revealing weird structures on our star’s surface

The overlooked epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic is our nation's nursing homes, veterans' homes, and other long-term care facilities.

The new Nightlife reactive skin is now live ahead of the Fortnite Party Royale event which starts later today.

Epic Games has issued a warning ahead of the Party Royale event, but it might not be the only problem facing players this evening.

Fortnite Party Royale event starts soon. Here's everything you need to know including start times for Deadmau5, Dillon Francis and Steve Aoki - PLUS how to claim the many live event rewards available from Epic Games as they celebrate 350 million players.

Yeah, I’ll have a venti double dirty chai pumpkin spice latte to go, no foam. What do you mean you don’t have an espresso machine?...

Manny and Chris report back from their recent hunting expedition. Phil teaches us about MMOs for beginners. Anna Marie does all the picrosses. And Jon...

Paired with a T-shirt or even just a vest, the classic stripe returns for men this season. Take inspiration from these high-fashion looks riffing on the boardroom staple

• Read more from the spring/summer 2020 edition of The Fashion, our biannual style supplement

From Stay at Home T-shirts to NHS baseball caps, here’s a selection from small labels donating some or all of their profits to charities helping healthcare workers and the Covid-19 response

Comfortable and chic, these are perfect transitional pieces for spring. Layer a thin polo neck underneath on chillier days, or style with a fitted blazer to look smarter

This is a shade to see you through summer

The Oscar-winning sword-and-sandals Russell Crowe vehicle refreshed old cliches, before ushering in a spate of copycats

“Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?” the creepy pilot asks the small boy in Airplane!. To younger audiences, the joke no longer makes any sense. In Airplane!’s day, sword-and-sandals movies had become an outdated, unwittingly homoerotic joke. But then came Gladiator, and the joke was on us. Released 20 years ago this month, Ridley Scott’s Roman epic gave the old cliches a new lease of life. It was all here: Colosseum action! Rippling man-flesh! Tigers! But Gladiator had its cheesecake and ate it. It served up crowd-pleasing spectacle and airline-ad visuals but also solemn, Oscar-worthy drama (and, in retrospect, a fair degree of camp).

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Epic Games is finally settling its feud — kind of — with Google and putting Fortnite onto the Google Play Store, but the studio sounds pretty pissed about it. When Fortnite launched on mobile in 2018, Epic Games very notably sidestepped the Google Play Store and pushed users to download the title directly from their […]

Alec Baldwin also returned to the 'SNL' stage as Donald Trump in the cold open.

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr's friendship is not limited to Paris Saint Germain but also off the field. The recent example of the same could be the French footballer's recent post on social media. Mbappe posted a picture of himself on social media where he was seen playing basketball. This was quite an ideal opportunity for Neymar Jr to pull his teammate's leg and he hilariously trolled the footballer with a funny comment.

India have so far grabbed men's full quota and one individual place in women's category for Tokyo Olympics.

The 'Hello' singer turned 32 on Tuesday (05.05.20) and when she took to Instagram to thank fans for their well-wishes on her special day

In what is one of our favourite #throwback posts to...

The post Steve McCurry Shares #Throwback Pictures From 90s Bollywood appeared first on Man's World India.

Researchers find evidence of piezoelectricity in lab-grown, two-dimensional flakes of molybdenum dioxide.

In the battle against coronavirus, Swiss soldiers are using smartphones to test a new contact tracing application that could prevent infections while also protecting users' privacy.

Kim Yuna's stunning win at last month's Winter Games will not only boost the career of the Olympic figure skating champion, it should help add several billion dollars to the South Korean economy.

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'Notre Dame is an old, injured lady'

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Coronavirus: the symptoms Read our LIVE updates on the coronavirus here

Follow our live Covid-19 updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms

At least 16 people have been killed in the deadliest mass shooting in Canada's history.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences after failing to stop for police.

Former Olympic rower Kenny Dwan has recalled the emotional moment he left hospital after a three-week battle with coronavirus.

Adorable new photographs of Prince Louis taken by his mother Kate have been released ahead of his first birthday.

In today's Diary: Michael Spicer on his forthcoming book / Rupert Everett calls for help for Coram's Fields / Emma Freud on the Comic Relief t-shirts / Brandon Lewis's marathon exercise regime

Volunteers spent the day on a farm to harvest vegetables that would have otherwise gone to waste so the produce could be turned into meals for our Food for London Now appeal.

One of Norway's wealthiest men is being held on suspicion of murdering his wife who has been missing since 2018.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two children were stabbed to death in Ilford.

Tower Bridge was cordoned off at around midday on Friday while police investigated reports of a "suspicious package."

A new photograph of Princess Charlotte has been released by Kensington Palace to mark her fifth birthday.

Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a young NHS worker was stabbed to death in east London.

Two teenagers have been arrested after a young boy was shot in east London and left with potentially life-changing injuries.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was shot inside a house during the coronavirus lockdown.

A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was left fighting for her life following reports of a street fight.