Treatment outcomes amongst older people with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

There is conflicting data regarding the response of older people with HIV (PWH) to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term immunological and virological responses, changes in regimen, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older participants (50+ years) compared with younger (18-34 years) and middle-aged (35-49 years) PWH.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records was conducted on 1622 participants who received ART in Yunnan Province, China, from 2010 to 2019. The study compared CD4+ T-cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and relative numbers between different groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify variables associated with the occurrence of immune reconstitution insufficiency. The rates of immune reconstitution, incidence of ADRs, and rates of treatment change were analyzed using the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Over 95% achieved viral load 200 copies/ml or less, with no age-related difference. However, older participants exhibited significantly lower CD4+ T-cell counts and CD4+/CD8+ recovery post-ART (P < 0.001), with only 32.21% achieving immune reconstitution (compared with young: 52.16%, middle-aged: 39.29%, P < 0.001) at the end of follow-up. Middle-aged and elderly participants changed ART regimens more because of ADRs, especially bone marrow suppression and renal dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Although the virological response was consistent across age groups, older individuals showed poorer immune responses and higher susceptibility to side effects. This underscores the need for tailored interventions and comprehensive management for older patients with HIV.

Gene Polymorphisms and Expression of NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 Genes in a Chinese Han Population with an Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis

Purpose

Although there is previous evidence supporting that ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis transformation is associated with NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 genes, there have been no relevant studies in the Chinese population. The objective of the current study was to explore the gene polymorphism and expression of NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 genes in a Han population with UHR for psychosis in China.

Methods

Eighteen UHR individuals, 61 first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia (FDR), 55 first-episode psychosis individuals (FEP), and 61 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. The genotypes at four loci of the NRG1 gene, four loci of the DAOA gene, and two loci of the DISC1 gene were tested for all subjects, and mRNAs of NRG1 and DISC1 were examined and analyzed in a pairwise comparison among the four groups. Statistical analysis of genetics was performed using snpStats software. For the case-control association analysis, a single site association study, epistatic effect analysis, and haplotype analysis were used to explore the association of the above genes.

Results

This study found that rs3918341 in the DAOA gene was associated with susceptibility to UHR by single site association analysis. Epistatic effect analysis results showed that the NRG1 gene interacted with the DAOA gene and DISC1 gene in the susceptibility to UHR. Haplotype association analysis showed that all haplotypes were not significantly associated with UHR. NRG1 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the UHR group compared with the HC group as well as the FEP group.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results show that NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 genes may play a role in psychosis onset, opening the way to the identification of prognostic biomarkers.

SAR92 clade bacteria are potentially important DMSP degraders and sources of climate-active gases in marine environments

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is one of Earth's most abundant organosulfur molecules, which can be catabolized by marine bacteria to release climate-active gases through the cleavage and/or demethylation pathways. The marine SAR92 clade is an abundant oligotrophic group of Gammaproteobacteria in coastal seawater, but their ability to catabolize DMSP is untested. Three SAR92 clade strains isolated from coastal seawater in this study and the SAR92 representative strain HTCC2207 were all shown to catabolize DMSP as a carbon source. All the SAR92 clade strains exhibited DMSP lyase activity producing dimethylsulfide (DMS) and their genomes encoded a ratified DddD DMSP lyase. In contrast, only HTCC2207 and two isolated strains contained the DMSP demethylase dmdA gene and potentially simultaneously demethylated and cleaved DMSP to produce methanethiol (MeSH) and DMS. In SAR92 clade strains with dddD and dmdA, transcription of these genes was inducible by DMSP substrate. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that SAR92 clade bacteria containing and transcribing DddD and DmdA were widely distributed in global oceans, especially in polar regions. This study highlights the SAR92 clade of oligotrophic bacteria as potentially important catabolizers of DMSP and sources of the climate-active gases MeSH and DMS in marine environments, particularly in polar regions.IMPORTANCECatabolism of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) by marine bacteria has important impacts on the global sulfur cycle and climate. However, whether and how members of most oligotrophic bacterial groups participate in DMSP metabolism in marine environments remains largely unknown. In this study, by characterizing culturable strains, we have revealed that bacteria of the SAR92 clade, an abundant oligotrophic group of Gammaproteobacteria in coastal seawater, can catabolize DMSP through the DMSP lyase DddD-mediated cleavage pathway and/or the DMSP demethylase DmdA-mediated demethylation pathway to produce climate-active gases dimethylsulfide and methanethiol. Additionally, we found that SAR92 clade bacteria capable of catabolizing DMSP are widely distributed in global oceans. These results indicate that SAR92 clade bacteria are potentially important DMSP degraders and sources of climate-active gases in marine environments that have been overlooked, contributing to a better understanding of the roles and mechanisms of the oligotrophic bacteria in oceanic DMSP degradation.

Aptamer/Peptide-Functionalized Nanoprobe for Detecting Multiple miRNAs in Circulating Malignant Cells to Study Tumor Heterogeneity

Identification of diverse biomarkers in heterogenic circulating malignant cells (CMCs) such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor endothelial cells (CTECs) has crucial significance in tumor diagnosis. However, it remains a substantial challenge to achieve in situ detection of multiple miRNA markers in living cells in blood. Herein, we demonstrate that an aptamer/peptide-functionalized vector can deliver molecular beacons into targeted living CMCs in peripheral blood of patients for in situ detection of multiple cancer biomarkers, including miRNA-21 (miR-21) and miRNA-221 (miR-221). Based on miR-21 and miR-221 levels, heterogenic CMCs are identified for both nondistant metastatic and distant metastatic cancer patients. CMCs from nondistant metastatic and distant metastatic cancer patients exhibit similar miR-21 levels, while the miR-221 level in CMCs of the distant metastatic cancer patient is higher than that of the nondistant metastatic cancer patient. With the capability to realize precise probing of multiple intracellular biomarkers in living CMCs at the single-cell resolution, the nanoprobe can reveal the tumor heterogeneity and provide useful information for diagnosis and prognosis. The nanoprobe we developed would accelerate the progress toward noninvasive precise cancer diagnosis.

Compound-42 alleviates acute kidney injury by targeting RIPK3-mediated necroptosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Necroptosis plays an essential role in acute kidney injury and is mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), and mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL). A novel RIPK3 inhibitor, compound 42 (Cpd-42) alleviates the systemic inflammatory response. The current study was designed to investigate whether Cpd-42 exhibits protective effects on acute kidney injury and reveal the underlying mechanisms.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The effects of Cpd-42 were determined in vivo through cisplatin- and ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury and in vitro through cisplatin- and hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R)-induced cell damage. Transmission electron microscopy and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used to identify renal pathology. Cellular thermal shift assay and RIPK3-knockout mouse renal tubule epithelial cells were used to explore the relationship between Cpd-42 and RIPK3. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis were used to determine the binding site of RIPK3 with Cpd-42.

KEY RESULTS

Cpd-42 reduced human proximal tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2) cell damage, necroptosis and inflammatory responses in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo, cisplatin- and I/R-induced acute kidney injury was alleviated by Cpd-42 treatment. Cpd-42 inhibited necroptosis by interacting with two key hydrogen bonds of RIPK3 at Thr94 and Ser146, which further blocked the phosphorylation of RIPK3 and mitigated acute kidney injury.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Acting as a novel RIPK3 inhibitor, Cpd-42 reduced kidney damage, inflammatory response and necroptosis in acute kidney injury by binding to sites Thr94 and Ser146 on RIPK3. Cpd-42 could be a promising treatment for acute kidney injury.

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma: combined multiparametric MRI and tumour marker HE4 to evaluate tumour grade and lymphovascular space invasion

AIM

To assess the value of semi-quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging parameters combined with human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in predicting the pathological grade and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) of endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2018 and December 2021, 60 women (mean age, 55 [range, 32-77] years) with EAC underwent preoperative pelvic MRI and HE4 level measurements. The positive enhancement integral (PEI), time to peak, maximum slope of increase (MSI), and maximum slope of decrease were measured by manually drawing a region of interest on the neoplastic tissue. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the diagnostic efficiency of the single parameter and combined factors.

RESULTS

Lower apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were observed in high-grade tumours (G3) than in low-grade tumours (G1/G2). PEI, MSI, and HE4 levels were higher in the high-grade tumours than in the low-grade tumours (p<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for G3 diagnosis using multiparametric MRI combined with HE4 was 0.929. ADC values were significantly lower in the EAC with LVSI than in those without LVSI. Tumours with LVSI showed higher PEI and HE4 levels than those without LVSI (p<0.05). The AUC for LVSI-positive diagnosis using multiparametric MRI combined with HE4 was 0.814.

CONCLUSION

Semi-quantitative DCE-MRI, ADC values, and serum HE4 levels can be used to predict tumour grade and LVSI, and the prediction efficiency of multiparametric MRI combined with serum HE4 is better than that of any single factor.

[BCS1Neonatal growth retardation and lactic acidosis initiated by novel mutation sites in L gene]

This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic variations of two cases with developmental delay and lactic acidosis in a family, and to explore the relationship between genetic variations and clinical features. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics of two siblings with developmental delay and lactic acidosis who were treated at the Neonatal Department of Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in May 2019 and December 2021, respectively. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect genetic variations in the affected children. Homology modeling of the BCS1L protein was performed to analyze the structural and functional changes of the protein. The correlation between genetic variations and clinical phenotypes was analyzed. The results showed that the main clinical features of the two affected children in this family were manifestations of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅲ deficiency, including prematurity, developmental delay, respiratory failure, lactic acidosis, cholestasis, liver dysfunction, renal tubular lesions, coagulation dysfunction, anemia, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, and early death. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel deletion mutation c.486_488delGGA (p.E163del) and a novel missense mutation c.992C>T (p.T331I) in the BCS1L gene. Structural analysis of the homology modeling showed that the compound heterozygous mutation had a significant impact on protein function. In conclusion, the novel mutation site c.992C>T (p.T331I) in the BCS1L gene is a "likely pathogenic" mutation, and the compound heterozygous mutation is closely related to the phenotype of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅲ deficiency.

Spartinivicinus marinus sp. nov., isolated from intertidal sediment

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, flagellated, and long rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SM1973^T, was isolated from an intertidal sediment sample collected from the coast of Qingdao, PR China. Strain SM1973^T grew at 15-37 °C and with 0-5.5 % NaCl. It reduced nitrate to nitrite and hydrolysed aesculin but did not hydrolyse casein and gelatin. The strain showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.2 %) to the type strain of Spartinivicinus ruber. The phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA genes and single-copy orthologous clusters showed that strain SM1973^T clustered with S. ruber, forming a separate lineage within the family Zooshikellaceae. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1 ω7с and/or C_16 : 1 ω6с) and C_16 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The main respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-9. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SM1973^T was 40.4 mol%. Based on the polyphasic evidence presented in this paper, strain SM1973^T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Spartinivicinus, for which the name Spartinivicinus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM1973^T (=MCCC 1K04833^T=KCTC 72846^T).

Meta-analysis of gender differences in transition prevalence among individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis

Gender differences have been found in several areas of individuals at clinical-high risk for psychosis(CHR). Therefore the risk of transition to psychosis may differ between male and female CHR, but previous work has not systematically reviewed and analyzed gender differences in conversion rates.We performed a meta-analysis according to PRISMA guidelines including all studies that assessed CHR with reliable instruments and provided data on the transition from male CHR and female CHR to psychosis to understand the conversion rate conversion in male and female CHR. Seventy-nine article were identified.A total of 1250 out of 5770 in the male CHR individuals, and 832 out of 4468 in the female CHR individuals translated to psychotic disorders. Transition prevalence were 19.4%(95%CI:14.2-25.8%)at 1 year, 20.6% at 2 year (95%CI:17.1-24.8%),24.3% at 3 years (95%CI:21.5-27.4%),26.3% at 4 years or older (95%CI:20.9-32.5%) and 22.3% at all (95%CI:20.0-24.8%) in male CHR and 17.7% (95%CI:12.6-24.4%) at 1 years, 17.5% (95%CI:14.2-21.4%) at 2 year, 19.9%(95%CI:17.3-0.228%) at 3 years,and 0.267 (95%CI:22.1-31.9%) at 4 years or older follow-up,20.4% at all (95%CI:18.1-22.9%) in female CHR. There were differences between the two groups in the overall conversion, the 2-year, and the 3-year follow up transition prevalence, which were higher in men CHR than in female CHR. Future research characterizing male versus female CHR is needed with the expectation that interventions will be developed that are tailored to the respective gender, further reducing the rate of conversion to CHR.

A Multiple Targeting Nanoprobe for Identifying Cancer Metastatic Sites Based on Detection of Various mRNAs in Circulating Tumor Cells

Identification of cancer metastatic sites is of importance for adjusting therapeutic interventions and treatment choice. However, identifying the location of metastatic lesions with easy accessibility and high safety is challenging. Here we demonstrate that cancer metastatic sites can be accurately detected by a triple targeting nanoprobe. Through coencapsulating molecular beacons probing a cancer biomarker (CXCR4 mRNA), a lung metastatic biomarker (CTSC mRNA), and a bone metastatic biomarker (JAG1 mRNA), the nanoprobe decorated by SYL3C conjugated hyaluronic acid and ICAM-1 specific aptamer conjugated hyaluronic acid can target diverse phenotyped circulating tumor cells (CTCs) during epithelial-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-epithelial transitions in whole blood for sensitive probing. The detection of CTCs from cancer patients shows that the nanoprobe can provide accurate information to distinguish different cancer metastasis statuses including nonmetastasis, lung metastasis, and bone metastasis. This study proposes an efficient screening tool for identifying the location of distant metastatic lesions via facile blood biopsy.

[Clinical effect of laparoscopy for the treatment of biliary stricture after biliary dilatation operation]

Objective: To investigate the safety and effect of laparoscopy for the treatment of biliary stricture after the biliary dilatation operation. Methods: The clinical data of 78 patients,including 27 males and 51 females aged (48.6±14.2)years(range:17 to 76 years),who presented biliary stricture after biliary dilatation operation from January 2017 to June 2021 in the Department of Minimally Invasive Hepatobiliary Surgery,Hunan Provincial People's Hospital,were retrospectively collected,with 38 cases in the laparoscopy group and 40 cases in the laparotomy group. Of the 78 patients,there were 67 cases of cholangiojejunostomy stricture and 11 cases of stricture of the high intrahepatic bile duct. Statistical methods such as t-test and χ² test were carried out to compare perioperative clinical data and follow-up information between the two groups. Results: Less intraoperative blood loss((102.6±76.4)ml vs. (162.5±105.9) ml, t=-2.874,P=0.005),shorter postoperative stay length of stay((10.5±3.7)days vs. (14.5±6.4)days, t=-3.379,P=0.001) and shorter waiting time for postoperative anal exhaust((2.0±0.6)days vs. (2.5±0.9)days, t=-2.827,P=0.006) were found in the laparoscopy group than that in the laparotomy group,with statistically significant differences. While there was no statistically difference in the operative time((252.8±54.7)minutes vs. (257.4±68.6)minutes,t=-0.331,P=0.742). Postoperative review and follow-up did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups in the residual stone rate(5.3%(2/38) vs. 5.0%(2/40)) and the incidence of recurrent biliary stricture(5.3%(2/38) vs. 7.5%(3/40))(both P>0.05). Conclusion: Laparoscopy may be safe and effective in the treatment of biliary stricture after the biliary dilatation operation,with less trauma,faster recovery compared to laparotomy.

Multi-Targeting Nano-Systems Targeting Heterogeneous Cancer Cells for Therapeutics and Biomarker Detection

Cancer heterogeneity plays a vital part in cancer resistance and metastasis. To provide a reliable approach to exert a therapy action and evaluate its efficiency in heterogeneous cancer cells, a multiple targeting delivery vector composed of histone encapsulating the therapeutic or diagnostic agent, hyaluronic acid targeting CD44 overexpressed in stem tumor cells, SYL3C aptamer targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) overexpressed in epithelial cancer cells, and CL4 aptamer targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpressed in mesenchymal cancer cells, is developed. The vector can efficiently target different cancer cells and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood of patients for mucin 1 (MUC1) knockout. Furthermore, the multiple targeting vector can be used to co-encapsulate three types of molecular beacons for probing various mRNA biomarkers at single-cell resolution after genome editing. This study provides an efficient approach for exerting therapeutic actions in heterogeneous cancer cells and assessing the therapeutic efficacy by detection of cancer biomarkers via liquid biopsy.

Extracellular vesicles mediate antibody-resistant transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. Antibody resistance dampens neutralizing antibody therapy and threatens current global Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine campaigns. In addition to the emergence of resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants, little is known about how SARS-CoV-2 evades antibodies. Here, we report a novel mechanism of extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated cell-to-cell transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which facilitates SARS-CoV-2 to escape from neutralizing antibodies. These EVs, initially observed in SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein-expressing cells, are secreted by various SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, including Vero E6, Calu-3, and HPAEpiC cells, undergoing infection-induced pyroptosis. Various SARS-CoV-2-infected cells produce similar EVs characterized by extra-large sizes (1.6-9.5 μm in diameter, average diameter > 4.2 μm) much larger than previously reported virus-generated vesicles. Transmission electron microscopy analysis and plaque assay reveal that these SARS-CoV-2-induced EVs contain large amounts of live virus particles. In particular, the vesicle-cloaked SARS-CoV-2 virus is resistant to neutralizing antibodies and able to reinfect naïve cells independent of the reported receptors and cofactors. Consistently, the constructed 3D images show that intact EVs could be taken up by recipient cells directly, supporting vesicle-mediated cell-to-cell transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of receptor-independent SARS-CoV-2 infection via cell-to-cell transmission, provide new insights into antibody resistance of SARS-CoV-2 and suggest potential targets for future antiviral therapeutics.

Longitudinal analysis of immunocyte responses and inflammatory cytokine profiles in SFTSV-infected rhesus macaques

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an emerging bunyavirus, causes severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), with a high fatality rate of 20%-30%. At present, however, the pathogenesis of SFTSV remains largely unclear and no specific therapeutics or vaccines against its infection are currently available. Therefore, animal models that can faithfully recapitulate human disease are important to help understand and treat SFTSV infection. Here, we infected seven Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with SFTSV. Virological and immunological changes were monitored over 28 days post-infection. Results showed that mild symptoms appeared in the macaques, including slight fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) in the blood. Viral replication was persistently detectable in lymphoid tissues and bone marrow even after viremia disappeared. Immunocyte detection showed that the number of T cells (mainly CD8⁺ T cells), B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and monocytes decreased during infection. In detail, effector memory CD8⁺ T cells declined but showed increased activation, while both the number and activation of effector memory CD4⁺ T cells increased significantly. Furthermore, activated memory B cells decreased, while CD80⁺/CD86⁺ B cells and resting memory B cells (CD27⁺CD21⁺) increased significantly. Intermediate monocytes (CD14⁺CD16⁺) increased, while myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) rather than plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) markedly declined during early infection. Cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MCP-1), were substantially elevated in blood and were correlated with activated CD4⁺ T cells, B cells, CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK cells, CD14⁺CD16⁺ monocytes during infection. Thus, this study demonstrates that Chinese rhesus macaques infected with SFTSV resemble mild clinical symptoms of human SFTS and provides detailed virological and immunological parameters in macaques for understanding the pathogenesis of SFTSV infection.

Uncovering the molecular mechanism of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino against breast cancer using network pharmacology and molecular docking

Because of their strong anti-cancer efficacy with fewer side effects, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have attracted considerable attention for their potential application in treating breast cancer (BC). However, knowledge about the underlying systematic mechanisms is scarce. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (GP), a creeping herb, has been regularly used as a TCM to prevent and treat tumors including BC. Again, mechanisms underlying its anti-BC properties have remained elusive. We used network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the mechanistic details of GP against BC. The TCM systems pharmacology database and analysis platform and PharmMapper Server database were used to retrieve the chemical constituents and potential targets in GP. In addition, targets related to BC were identified using DrugBank and Therapeutic Target Database. Protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses of crucial targets were performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery databases, whereas the network visualization analysis was performed using Cytoscape 3.8.2. In addition, the molecular docking technique was used to validate network pharmacology-based predictions. A comparison of the predicted targets of GP with those of BC-related drugs revealed 26 potential key targets related to the treatment of BC, among which ALB, EGFR, ESR1, AR, PGR, and HSP90AA1 were considered the major potential targets. Finally, network pharmacology-based prediction results were preliminarily verified by molecular docking experiments. In addition, chemical constituents and potential target proteins were scored, followed by a comparison with the ligands of the protein. We provide a network of pharmacology-based molecular mechanistic insights on the therapeutic action of GP against BC. We believe that our data will serve as a basis to conduct future studies and promote the clinical applications of GP.

A variant-proof SARS-CoV-2 vaccine targeting HR1 domain in S2 subunit of spike protein

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, commonly with many mutations in S1 subunit of spike (S) protein are weakening the efficacy of the current vaccines and antibody therapeutics. This calls for the variant-proof SARS-CoV-2 vaccines targeting the more conserved regions in S protein. Here, we designed a recombinant subunit vaccine, HR121, targeting the conserved HR1 domain in S2 subunit of S protein. HR121 consisting of HR1-linker1-HR2-linker2-HR1, is conformationally and functionally analogous to the HR1 domain present in the fusion intermediate conformation of S2 subunit. Immunization with HR121 in rabbits and rhesus macaques elicited highly potent cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, particularly Omicron sublineages. Vaccination with HR121 achieved near-full protections against prototype SARS-CoV-2 infection in hACE2 transgenic mice, Syrian golden hamsters and rhesus macaques, and effective protection against Omicron BA.2 infection in Syrian golden hamsters. This study demonstrates that HR121 is a promising candidate of variant-proof SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with a novel conserved target in the S2 subunit for application against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Quality of life in patients with schizophrenia: A 2-year cohort study in primary mental health care in rural China

Objective

Quality of life (QoL) has been always an important way to evaluate the outcomes of schizophrenia, but there have been few previous longitudinal studies and few in middle-income countries. This study aimed to explore the QoL in Chinese patients with schizophrenia treated in primary mental health care and the risk factors of QoL over time.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenia treated in primary mental health care in rural/regional areas in Luoding, Guangdong, PR China, were evaluated with an extended questionnaire including the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted including Generalized Estimated Equation analyses (GEE).

Results

Four hundred and ninety-one patients with schizophrenia in primary care completed the 2-year follow up evaluation. The QoL physical, environmental, and social relationships domains showed improvement after the 2-year period, but the psychological domain did not. GEE results showed that earlier age of onset, older age, being employed, being unmarried, the thicker waist circumference, less use of clozapine or other SGAs, fewer hospitalizations, more frequent insomnia, more severe depressive and negative symptoms as well as worse treatment insight were independently associated with poor QoL in patients with schizophrenia.

Conclusion

According to our results, to improve the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia in primary care, we should pay more attention to the treatment of depression, negative and insomnia symptoms of schizophrenia, the choice and dosage of antipsychotic medication and improvement in the treatment compliance. The combined use of educational and behavioral strategies may improve treatment adherence.

Aging induces severe SIV infection accompanied by an increase in follicular CD8+ T cells with overactive STAT3 signaling

The number of elderly people living with HIV is increasing globally, and the condition of this population is relatively complicated due to the dual effects of aging and HIV infection. However, the impact of HIV infection combined with aging on the immune homeostasis of secondary lymphoid organs remains unclear. Here, we used the simian immunodeficiency virus mac239 (SIVmac239) strain to infect six young and six old Chinese rhesus macaques (ChRMs) and compared the infection characteristics of the two groups in the chronic stage through multiplex immunofluorescence staining of lymph nodes. The results showed that the SIV production and CD4/CD8 ratio inversion in old ChRMs were more severe than those in young ChRMs in both the peripheral blood and the lymph nodes, especially when a large number of CD8+ T cells infiltrated the follicles and germinal centers. STAT3 in these follicular CXCR5+CD8+ T cells was highly activated, with high expression of granzyme B, which might be caused by the severe inflammatory milieu in the follicles of old ChRMs. This study indicates that aging may be a cofactor involved in SIV-induced immune disorders in secondary lymphoid tissues, affecting the effective antiviral activity of highly enriched follicular CXCR5+CD8+ cells.

Detection of mRNAs of Ribosomal Protein L15 and E-Cadherin in Living Circulating Tumor Cells at Single Cell Resolution To Study Tumor Heterogeneity

To study the heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is of crucial importance to analyze cancer progression and metastasis. However, in situ detection of highly heterogeneous CTCs in peripheral blood still faces an elusive challenge. Here, we show direct detection of two metastasis-related mRNAs of diverse CTCs in whole blood by a triple-targeting nanoprobe. In the nanoprobe, two kinds of molecular beacons, MB1 to detect RPL15 mRNA and MB2 to detect E-cadherin (E-cad) mRNA, are loaded in a highly efficient delivery vector decorated with EpCAM-targeted SYL3C, EGFR-targeted CL4, and CD44-targeted hyaluronic acid chains to specifically deliver MB1/MB2 into epithelial, mesenchymal, and stem CTCs in unprocessed peripheral blood. The numbers of RPL15⁺ and E-cad⁺ CTCs are positively correlated with the metastasis stages of cancer patients. This study provides an effective strategy to realize direct observation on diverse metastasis-related genes in living CTCs with different phenotypes to provide accurate information on cancer heterogeneity and metastasis.

Targeted inhibition of TGF-β type I receptor by AZ12601011 protects against kidney fibrosis

Renal fibrosis, a common feature of chronic kidney disease, causes the progressive loss of renal function, in which TGF-β₁ plays a critical role. In this study, we found that expression levels of TGF-β₁ and its receptor 1 (TGF-βR1) were both significantly increased in obstructive fibrosis kidneys. AZ12601011 is a small molecular inhibitor of TGF-βR1; however, its therapeutic potential for renal fibrosis remains unclear. During the experiments, AZ12601011 was applied to various models of renal fibrosis followed by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in vivo, in addition to renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) challenged by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and TGF-β₁in vitro. Our results revealed that AZ12601011 ameliorated renal injuries and fibrosis shown by PAS, HE, and Masson staining, which was consistent with the decrease in Col-1 and α-SMA expression in the kidneys from UUO and I/R mice. Similarly, in vitro data showed that AZ12601011 inhibited the induction of Col-1 and α-SMA in both TECs treated with TGF-β₁ and H/R. In addition, the results of cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), molecular docking, and western bolt indicated that AZ12601011 could directly bind to TGF-βR1 and block activation of the downstream Smad3. Taken together, our findings suggest that AZ12601011 can attenuate renal fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway and it might serve as a promising clinical candidate in the fight against fibrotic kidney diseases.

[Overexpression of NAT10 induced platinum drugs resistance in breast cancer cell]

Objective: To observe the platinum drugs resistance effect of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) overexpression in breast cancer cell line and elucidate the underlining mechanisms. Methods: The experiment was divided into wild-type (MCF-7 wild-type cells without any treatment) group, NAT10 overexpression group (H-NAT10 plasmid transfected into MCF-7 cells) and NAT10 knockdown group (SH-NAT10 plasmid transfected into MCF-7 cells). The invasion was detected by Transwell array, the interaction between NAT10 and PARP1 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. The impact of NAT10 overexpression or knockdown on the acetylation level of PARP1 and its half-life was also determined. Immunostaining and IP array were used to detect the recruitment of DNA damage repair protein by acetylated PARP1. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis. Results: Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of cell invasion was 483.00±46.90 in the NAT10 overexpression group, 469.00±40.50 in the NAT10 knockdown group, and 445.00±35.50 in the MCF-7 wild-type cells, and the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the presence of 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin, the number of cell invasion was 502.00±45.60 in the NAT10 overexpression group and 105.00±20.50 in the NAT10 knockdown group, both statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with 219.00±31.50 in wild-type cells. In the presence of 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin, NAT10 overexpression enhanced the binding of PARP1 to NAT10 compared with wild-type cells, whereas the use of the NAT10 inhibitor Remodelin inhibited the mutual binding of the two. Overexpression of NAT10 induced PARP1 acetylation followed by increased PARP1 binding to XRCC1, and knockdown of NAT10 expression reduced PARP1 binding to XRCC1. Overexpression of NAT10 enhanced PARP1 binding to LIG3, while knockdown of NAT10 expression decreased PARP1 binding to LIG3. In 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin-treated cells, the γH2AX expression level was 0.38±0.02 in NAT10 overexpressing cells and 1.36±0.15 in NAT10 knockdown cells, both statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with 1.00±0.00 in wild-type cells. In 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin treated cells, the apoptosis rate was (6.54±0.68)% in the NAT10 overexpression group and (12.98±2.54)% in the NAT10 knockdown group, both of which were statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with (9.67±0.37)% in wild-type cells. Conclusion: NAT10 overexpression enhances the binding of NAT10 to PARP1 and promotes the acetylation of PARP1, which in turn prolongs the half-life of PARP1, thus enhancing PARP1 recruitment of DNA damage repair related proteins to the damage sites, promoting DNA damage repair and ultimately the survival of breast cancer cells.

Inhibition of METTL3 attenuates renal injury and inflammation by alleviating TAB3 m6A modifications via IGF2BP2-dependent mechanisms

The role of N⁶-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications in renal diseases is largely unknown. Here, we characterized the role of N⁶-adenosine-methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), whose expression is elevated in renal tubules in different acute kidney injury (AKI) models as well as in human biopsies and cultured tubular epithelial cells (TECs). METTL3 silencing alleviated renal inflammation and programmed cell death in TECs in response to stimulation by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cisplatin, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas METTL3 overexpression had the opposite effects. Conditional knockout of METTL3 from mouse kidneys attenuated cisplatin- and ischemic/reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal dysfunction, injury, and inflammation. Moreover, TAB3 [TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (MAP3K7) binding protein 3] was identified as a target of METTL3 by m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA sequencing. The stability of TAB3 was increased through binding of IGF2BP2 (insulin-like growth factor 2 binding protein 2) to its m6A-modified stop codon regions. The proinflammatory effects of TAB3 were then explored both in vitro and in vivo. Adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated METTL3 silencing attenuated renal injury and inflammation in cisplatin- and LPS-induced AKI mouse models. We further identified Cpd-564 as a METTL3 inhibitor that had better protective effects against cisplatin- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal injury and inflammation than S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine, a previously identified METTL3 inhibitor. Collectively, METTL3 promoted m6A modifications of TAB3 and enhanced its stability via IGF2BP2-dependent mechanisms. Both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of METTL3 attenuated renal injury and inflammation, suggesting that the METTL3/TAB3 axis is a potential target for treatment of AKI.

Prognostic impact of tumor size on patients with neuroblastoma in a SEER-based study

Objective

The prognostic value of tumor size in neuroblastoma (NB) patients has not been fully evaluated. Our purpose is to elucidate the prognostic significance of tumor size in surgery performed on neuroblastoma patients.

Methods

Neuroblastoma patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) for the study. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors and the independent prognostic influences of tumor size on NB patients. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed through univariate Cox regression analysis. To determine the optimal cutoff value of tumor size, we first divided the cohort into three groups (≤5 cm, 5–10 cm, >10 cm). Subsequently, the patients were divided into two groups repeatedly, with tumor size at 1 cm intervals. The cutoff value that maximized prognostic outcome difference was selected. Furthermore, we performed the Kaplan–Meier methods to visually present differences in prognosis between the optimal tumor size cutoff value in different subgroups.

Results

A total of 591 NB patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the SEER database in this study. Cox analysis showed that age >1 year (HR = 2.42, p < 0.0001), originate from adrenal site (HR = 1.7, p = 0.014), distant stage (HR = 6.4, p < 0.0001), undifferentiated grade (HR = 1.94, p = 0.002), and large tumor size (HR = 1.5, p < 0.0001) independently predicted poor prognosis. For tumor size, there were significant differences in tumor size distribution in different ages, tumor grade, disease stage, and primary site subgroup but not in sex, race, and histology subgroup. Furthermore, both univariate (HR = 4.96, 95% CI 2.31–10.63, p < 0.0001) and multivariable analysis (HR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.29–6.08, p < 0.0001) indicated the optimal cutoff value of tumor size was 4 cm for overall survival of NB patients. Using a 4 cm of tumor size cutoff in subgroups, we found that it can identify poor prognosis patients whatever their age or primary site. Interestingly, tumor size of 4 cm cutoff can only identify unfavorable NB patients with diagnosis at distant‐stage disease, or differentiated grade tumor, but not with regional and local or undifferentiated tumor.

Conclusions

Tumor size is first to be recognized as a key prognostic factor of neuroblastoma patients and a cutoff value >4 cm might predict poor prognosis, which should be included in the evaluation of prognostic factors for NB.

HIV-1 but not SIVmac239 induces higher interferon-α antiviral state in chronic infected northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina)

Studies have shown that interferon (IFN)-α has an inhibitory effect on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in the acute infection stage, but its role in chronic infection is still unclear. We previously established a nonpathogenic HIV-1 and pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) model in northern pig-tailed macaques (NPMs, Macaca leonina). In the current study, we detected viral RNA and DNA in various tissues (axillary lymph nodes (LNs), inguinal LNs, and spleen) in HIV-1_NL4-3- and SIV_mac239-infected NPM during the chronic stage of infection. Results indicated that the levels of viral DNA and RNA were higher in the tested tissues (LNs and spleen) of the SIV_mac239-infected NPMs than in the HIV-1_NL4-3 infected NPMs. Furthermore, IFN-α expression was higher in the HIV-infected tissues than in the SIV-infected controls. The HIV restriction factors induced by IFN-α (i.e., tetherin and MX2), as well as inflammatory factors IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence staining assays. Results showed that their expression levels were much higher in the HIV-infected tissues than in the SIV-infected controls. These findings were confirmed by in vitro experiments on healthy NPM peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with HIV-1_NL4-3, which showed lower viral replication, higher IFN-α expression, and an antiviral status. This study demonstrated that HIV-1 infection, but not SIV_mac239 infection, in NPMs caused higher expression of IFN-α and induced a higher antiviral status. This may be one of the reasons why HIV-1 cannot replicate at a high level or develop into AIDS in NPMs.

Characterization of the Trimethylamine N-Oxide Transporter From Pelagibacter Strain HTCC1062 Reveals Its Oligotrophic Niche Adaption

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which was detected at nanomolar concentrations in surface seawaters, is an important carbon, nitrogen and/or energy source for marine bacteria. It can be metabolized by marine bacteria into volatile methylated amines, the second largest source of nitrogen after N2 gas in the oceans. The SAR11 bacteria are the most abundant oligotrophic plankton in the oceans, which represents approximately 30% of the bacterial cells in marine surface waters. Genomic analysis suggested that most SAR11 bacteria possess an ATP-binding cassette transporter TmoXWV that may be responsible for importing TMAO. However, it was still unclear whether SAR11 bacteria can utilize TMAO as the sole nitrogen source and how they import TMAO. Here, our results showed that Pelagibacter strain HTCC1062, a SAR11 bacterium, can grow with TMAO as the sole nitrogen source. TmoXWV from strain HTCC1062 (TmoXWV1062) was verified to be a functional TMAO importer. Furthermore, TmoX1062, the periplasmic substrate binding protein of TmoXWV1062, was shown to have high binding affinities toward TMAO at 4°C (Kd = 920 nM), 10°C (Kd = 500 nM) and 25°C (Kd = 520 nM). The high TMAO binding affinity and strong temperature adaptability of TmoX1062 reveal a possible oligotrophic niche adaptation strategy of strain HTCC1062, which may help it gain a competitive advantage over other bacteria. Structure comparison and mutational analysis indicated that the TMAO binding mechanism of TmoX1062 may have differences from the previously reported mechanism of TmoX of Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3. This study provides new insight into TMAO utilization by the widespread SAR11 bacteria.

Early continuous blood purification affects TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in patients with severe acute pancreatitis via inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway

To exploit whether early continuous blood purification (CBP) inhibits the Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in the peripheral blood of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and whether it affects the abundance of inflammatory factors; 130 SAP patients were randomly selected and divided into Groups B and C. Both groups received conventional treatment. Among them, Group C was given early CBP treatment. Another 60 healthy cases in physical examination at the same time were selected as Group A. The abundances of TLR4 and inflammatory factors were detected before and after treatment. Compared with Group B, (1) the symptoms in Group C improved more markedly; (2) protein contents of TLR4 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in Group C diminished more signally; (3) the abundances of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) in Group C decreased (p < 0.05); and (4) the abundance of TLR4 in Group C was positively correlated with those of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 after treatment (all p < 0.001). Early CBP inhibits TLR4 signaling pathway in SAP patients and attenuates the abundance of inflammatory factors to a certain extent, which may provide a new clinical treatment strategy for SAP.

Description of Aureibaculum luteum sp. nov. and Aureibaculum flavum sp. nov. isolated from Antarctic intertidal sediments

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated SM1352^T and A20^T, were isolated from intertidal sediments collected from King George Island, Antarctic. They shared 99.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and had the highest sequence similarity of 98.1% to type strain of Aureibaculum marinum but < 93.4% sequence similarity to those of other known bacterial species. The genomes of strains SM1352^T and A20^T consisted of 5,108,092 bp and 4,772,071 bp, respectively, with the G + C contents both being 32.0%. They respectively encoded 4360 (including 37 tRNAs and 6 rRNAs) and 4032 (including 36 tRNAs and 5 rRNAs) genes. In the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and single-copy orthologous clusters (OCs), both strains clustered with Aureibaculum marinum and together formed a separate branch within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The ANI and DDH values between the two strains and Aureibaculum marinum BH-SD17^T were all below the thresholds for species delineation. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) of the two strains included iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_17:0 3-OH. Their polar lipids predominantly included phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid, and two unidentified lipids. Genomic comparison revealed that both strains possessed much more glycoside hydrolases and sulfatase-rich polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) than Aureibaculum marinum BH-SD17^T. Based on the above polyphasic evidences, strains SM1352^T and A20^T represent two novel species within the genus Aureibaculum, for which the names Aureibaculum luteum sp. nov. and Aureibaculum flavum sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are SM1352^T (= CCTCC AB 2014243 ^T = JCM 30335 ^T) and A20^T (= CCTCC AB 2020370 ^T = KCTC 82503 ^T), respectively.

[Effect of csn2 gene deficiency on the starvation tolerance and the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides in oligotrophic environment of Streptococcus mutans]

Objective: To explore the effect of csn2 gene deficiency on starvation tolerance and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) synthesis in an oligotrophic environment of Streptococcus mutans (Sm). Methods: The csn2 gene deletion strains and complementary strains of Sm were cultivated and then an oligotrophic growth environment for Sm growth by setting different concentration gradient media were created. Cell growth in oligotrophic environment was detected by growth curve. Biofilm volume was measured by crystalline violet staining. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser confocal microscope were performed to observe the biofilm structure of Sm. The synthesis of EPS was measured by the anthrone-sulfuric acid method. The expression of genes related to EPS synthesis was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: The growth curve results showed that the deletion of csn2 gene inhibited the growth of Sm under starvation stress. Furthermore, the results of laser confocal microscope showed that the biofilm EPS/bacteria ratios produced by the wild-type strain, csn2 gene-deficient strain and complement strains under nutrient sufficient culture conditions were 0.44±0.07, 1.05±0.13 and 0.57±0.08 respectively, while the ratios of EPS/bacteria in an oligotrophic environment were 0.93±0.24, 3.05±0.21 and 1.32±0.46 respectively, indicating that the deletion of csn2 gene enhanced the ability of extracellular polysaccharide synthesis of Sm in the oligotrophic environment. The expression levels of EPS synthesis-related genes gtfB and gtfC were up-regulated by 2.5 fold and 1.8 fold respectively and the expression level of gtfD was down-regulated by two-thirds. Conclusions: The csn2 gene deficiency showed multiple effects on the physiological functions and virulence characteristics of Sm, including starvation tolerance and EPS synthesis. These changes might be related to the shift of the complex regulative network caused by csn2 gene deletion.

Risk factors for violent behaviors in patients with schizophrenia: 2-year follow-up study in primary mental health care in China

OBJECTIVE

The consequences and impact of violent behavior in schizophrenia are often serious, and identification of risk factors is of great importance to achieve early identification and effective management.

METHODS

This follow-up study sampled adult patients with schizophrenia in primary mental health care in a rural area of southern China, in which 491 participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire at baseline and the 2-year follow-up. Sociodemographic, clinical and psychological assessment data were collected from all participants. Paired sample T-Tests and the McNemar Test were performed to examine changes over the follow-up period. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to analyze the risk factors for violent behavior.

RESULTS

The results showed that about two in five community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia reported violent behavior in the past year. At follow-up, participants were significantly less employed, had more times of hospitalization, more psychotropic medication, and severer depressive symptoms, but had better health-related quality of life than at baseline. Use of clozapine and better insight into medication decreased the possibility of violent behavior, while more severe positive symptoms, insomnia, as well as use of second-generation antipsychotics other than clozapine, antidepressants and mood stabilizers increased the possibility of violent behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk evaluation, prevention and management of violence in patients with schizophrenia are demanded in primary mental health care.

SARS-CoV-2-triggered mast cell rapid degranulation induces alveolar epithelial inflammation and lung injury

SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced hyper-inflammation links to the acute lung injury and COVID-19 severity. Identifying the primary mediators that initiate the uncontrolled hypercytokinemia is essential for treatments. Mast cells (MCs) are strategically located at the mucosa and beneficially or detrimentally regulate immune inflammations. In this study, we showed that SARS-CoV-2-triggered MC degranulation initiated alveolar epithelial inflammation and lung injury. SARS-CoV-2 challenge induced MC degranulation in ACE-2 humanized mice and rhesus macaques, and a rapid MC degranulation could be recapitulated with Spike-RBD binding to ACE2 in cells; MC degranulation altered various signaling pathways in alveolar epithelial cells, particularly, the induction of pro-inflammatory factors and consequential disruption of tight junctions. Importantly, the administration of clinical MC stabilizers for blocking degranulation dampened SARS-CoV-2-induced production of pro-inflammatory factors and prevented lung injury. These findings uncover a novel mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 initiating lung inflammation, and suggest an off-label use of MC stabilizer as immunomodulators for COVID-19 treatments.

Saikosaponin D: review on the antitumour effects, toxicity and pharmacokinetics

CONTEXT

Bupleuri Radix, the dried root of Bupleurum chinense DC and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd (Apiaceae), is an important medicinal herb widely used to treat cancers for hundreds of years in Asian countries. As the most antitumour component but also the main toxic component in Bupleuri Radix, saikosaponin D (SSD) has attracted extensive attention. However, no summary studies have been reported on the antitumour effects, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of this potential natural anticancer substance.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse and summarise the existing findings regarding to the antitumour effects, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of SSD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected relevant information published before April 2021 by conducting a search of literature available in various online databases including PubMed, Science Direct, CNKI, Wanfang database and the Chinese Biological Medicine Database. Bupleurum, Bupleuri Radix, saikosaponin, saikosaponin D, tumour, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics were used as the keywords.

RESULTS

The antitumour effects of SSD were multi-targeted and can be realised through various mechanisms, including inhibition of proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, as well as induction of cell apoptosis, autophagy, and differentiation. The toxicological effects of SSD mainly included hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, haemolysis and cardiotoxicity. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that SSD had the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of some drugs for its influence on CYPs and P-gp, and the oral bioavailability and actual pharmacodynamic substances in vivo of SSD are still controversial.

CONCLUSIONS

SSD is a potentially effective and relatively safe natural antitumour substance, but more research is needed, especially in vivo antitumour effects and pharmacokinetics of the compound.

Captopril alleviates lung inflammation in SARS-CoV-2-infected hypertensive mice

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent responsible for the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cardiovascular disease may affect COVID-19 progression. In the present study, we investigated the effect of hypertension on viral replication and COVID-19 progression using a hypertensive mouse model infected with SARS-CoV-2. Results revealed that SARS-CoV-2 replication was delayed in hypertensive mouse lungs. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 replication in hypertensive mice treated with the antihypertensive drug captopril demonstrated similar virus replication as SARS-CoV-2-infected normotensive mice. Furthermore, antihypertensive treatment alleviated lung inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 replication (interleukin (IL)-1β up-regulation and increased immune cell infiltration). No differences in lung inflammation were observed between the SARS-CoV-2-infected normotensive mice and hypertensive mice. Our findings suggest that captopril treatment may alleviate COVID-19 progression but not affect viral replication.

Pro-inflammatory microenvironment and systemic accumulation of CXCR3+ cell exacerbate lung pathology of old rhesus macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2

Understanding the pathological features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in an animal model is crucial for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we compared immunopathological changes in young and old rhesus macaques (RMs) before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection at the tissue level. Quantitative analysis of multiplex immunofluorescence staining images of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection specifically induced elevated levels of apoptosis, autophagy, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)+ cells, and increased interferon α (IFN-α)- and interleukin 6 (IL-6)-secreting cells and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3)+ cells in lung tissue of old RMs. This pathological pattern, which may be related to the age-related pro-inflammatory microenvironment in both lungs and spleens, was significantly correlated with the systemic accumulation of CXCR3+ cells in lungs, spleens, and peripheral blood. Furthermore, the ratio of CXCR3+ to T-box protein expression in T cell (T-bet)+ (CXCR3+/T-bet+ ratio) in CD8+ cells may be used as a predictor of severe COVID-19. These findings uncovered the impact of aging on the immunopathology of early SARS-CoV-2 infection and demonstrated the potential application of CXCR3+ cells in predicting severe COVID-19.

Individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis and first-degree relatives of patients with schizophreniaexperience impaired family functionality and social support deficit in comparison to healthy controls

AIM

The present study was designed to assess the role of family function and social support in the context of different phases of schizophrenia.

METHODS

First-episode patients with experiences of schizophrenia (FEP), ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR), first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with experiences of schizophrenia, and healthy controls (HC) (40 per group) were subjected to in-person clinical interviews. The results of these interviews were then used to gauge social support and family function using the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACESII-CV). Data were analyzed through ANCOVA, correlation analysis and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

We found that family function and social support showed a approximately gradual downward trend through the HC, FDR, UHR, and FEP groups but no significant differences were found in the family function of the FDR, UHR and FDR group. Logistic regression analyses indicated that UHR group patients exhibited decreased family support and family cohesion relative to members of the HC group, but had greater perceived social support than did members of the FEP group. Results for members of the FDR group were in line with those of members of the UHR group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that both UHR and FDR individuals experience impaired family functionality and social support which expanded the understanding of the psychological characteristics of the prodromal period of schizophrenia. Further explorations are warranted to develop optimal psychosocial interventions.

Direct detection of intracellular miRNA in living circulating tumor cells by tumor targeting nanoprobe in peripheral blood

Molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is of critical significance for the non-invasive early detection of tumors. However, in situ detection of intracellular nucleic acids of CTCs in whole blood still remains challenge. By using a highly efficient tumor targeting nanoprobe, we realize in situ detection of microRNA-21 (miR-21) of living CTCs in unprocessed whole blood. In the nanoprobe, a catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) system is complexed with protamine sulfate (PS), and then decorated by SYL3C conjugated hyaluronic acid (SHA) and hyaluronic acid (HA). The CHA system can be specifically delivered into living CTCs in whole blood, followed by hybridization between the CHA system and intracellular miR-21 in CTCs to induce strong fluorescence emission. After isolation of CTCs by membrane filtration, CTCs of cancer patients can be directly visualized by a fluorescence microscope for miR-21 detection at a single-cell level. Our study provides an efficient strategy to realize in situ genomic analysis of living CTCs in whole blood.

Identification of genes associated with litter size combining genomic approaches in Luzhong mutton sheep

Litter size is one of the most important reproductive traits of sheep, which has pronounced effects on the profit of husbandry enterprises and enthusiasm of breeders. Despite the importance of litter size, the underlying genetic mechanisms have not been entirely elucidated. Therefore, based on a high-density SNP chip, genome-wide comparative analysis was performed between two groups with different fecundity to reveal candidate genes linked to litter size via detection of homozygosity and selection signatures in Luzhong mutton sheep. Consequently, nine promising genes were identified from six runs of homozygosity islands, and functionally linked to reproduction (ACTL7A, ACTL7B, and ELP1), embryonic development (KLF5 and PIBF1), and cell cycle (DACH1, BORA, DIS3, and MZT1). A total of 128 genes were observed under selection, of which HECW1 and HTR1E were related to total lambs born, GABRG3, LRP1B, and MACROD2 to teat number, and AGBL1 to reproductive seasonality. Additionally, the presence of inbreeding depression implies the urgency of reasonable mating system to increase litter size in the present herd. These findings provide a comprehensive insight to the genetic makeup of litter size, and also contribute to implementation of marker-assisted selection in sheep.

Improving quality management of newborn screening in southwest China

Objective

Newborn screening (NBS) programs benefit tens of millions of infants worldwide each year. However, the extremely large screening populations and number of laboratories involved pose great challenges to maintaining high screening quality. To achieve continuous quality improvement, we established a comprehensive quality management system (CQMS) in southwest China.

Methods

External quality assessment (EQA) and internal quality control were carried out for basic quality management. We used 16 quality indicators (QIs) to monitor the entire screening process, with external supervision from the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment. All retrospective data for quality assessment were collected consecutively from laboratory management and patient follow-up systems.

Results

From 2015 to 2019, satisfactory EQA performance was achieved, with an average score greater than 97 for each screening item. QI monitoring showed that NBS quality improved continuously. The rate of health education provision increased from 90.9% to 100% and the recall rate after a positive primary screening increased from 85.4% to 99.2%. The unsatisfactory specimen rate and rate of newborns lost to follow-up decreased to 0.38% and 0.08%, respectively.

Conclusions

Implementing a CQMS and monitoring the whole screening process using QIs may yield continuous quality improvement of NBS.

Taxonomic and Enzymatic Characterization of Flocculibacter collagenilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a Novel Gammaproteobacterium With High Collagenase Production

Collagens from marine animals are an important component of marine organic nitrogen. Collagenase-producing bacteria and their collagenases play important roles in collagen degradation and organic nitrogen recycling in the ocean. However, only a few collagenase-producing marine bacteria have been so far discovered. Here, we reported the isolation and characterization of a collagenase-secreting bacterium, designated strain SM1988^T, isolated from a green alga Codium fragile sample. Strain SM1988^T is a Gram-negative, aerobic, oxidase-, and catalase-positive, unipolar flagellated, and rod-shaped bacterium capable of hydrolyzing casein, gelatin and collagens. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain SM1988^T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage along with known genera within the family Pseudoalteromonadaceae, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity being less than 93.3% to all known species in the family. Based on the phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain SM1988^T was considered to represent a novel species in a novel genus in the family Pseudoalteromonadaceae, for which the name Flocculibacter collagenilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain being SM1988^T (= MCCC 1K04279^T = KCTC 72761^T). Strain SM1988^T showed a high production of extracellular collagenases, which had high activity against both bovine collagen and codfish collagen. Biochemical tests combined with genome and secretome analyses indicated that the collagenases secreted by strain SM1988^T are serine proteases from the MEROPS S8 family. These data suggest that strain SM1988^T acts as an important player in marine collagen degradation and recycling and may have a promising potential in collagen resource utilization.

Tritonibacter aquimaris sp. nov. and Tritonibacter litoralis sp. nov., two novel members of the Roseobacter group isolated from coastal seawater

Two Gram-stain-negative bacterial strains, SM1969^T and SM1979^T, were isolated from coastal surface seawater of Qingdao, China. They were taxonomically characterized by the phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses. The two strains shared 97.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and the highest similarity (96.8-97.5%) with type strains of six species in the genera Shimia, Tritonibacter and Tropicibacter in the Roseobacter group of the family Rhodobacteraceae. In the phylogenetic tree based on single-copy orthologous clusters (OCs), both strains clustered with known species of the genus Tritonibacter and together formed a separate branch adjacent to Tritonibacter ulvae. Although sharing many chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, the two strains could be differentiated from each other and closely related species by numerous traits. Particularly, strain SM1969^T was found to have a DMSP lyase coding gene dddW in its genome and have the ability to produce DMS from DMSP while strain SM1979^T was not. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strains SM1969^T and SM1979^T and type strains of closely related species were all below the thresholds to discriminate bacterial species, demonstrating that they constitute two new species in the genus Tritonibacter. The names Tritonibacter aquimaris sp. nov. and Tritonibacter litoralis sp. nov. are proposed for the two new species, with type strains being SM1969^T (= MCCC 1K04320^T = KCTC 72843^T) and SM1979^T (= MCCC 1K04321^T = KCTC 72842^T), respectively.

Marinomonas algicola sp. nov. and Marinomonas colpomeniae sp. nov., isolated from marine macroalgae

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria, polar flagellated, designated strains SM2066^T and SM1966^T, were respectively isolated from the surfaces of Colpomenia sinuosa and Ulva pertusa macroalgae collected off the coastal areas of Rongcheng, PR China. Strain SM2066^T grew at 8-37 °C and with 0.5-7.0 % (w/v) NaCl, while strain SM1966^T grew at 5-30 °C and with 0.5-8.5% (w/v) NaCl. Both of them reduced nitrate to nitrite and required Na⁺ for growth but neither of them hydrolysed starch and DNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and single-copy orthologous cluster sequences revealed that both strains SM2066^T and SM1966^T were affiliated with the genus Marinomonas but formed distinct phylogenetic branches from known Marinomonas species, respectively sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with type strains of Marinomonas ushuaiensis (97.9 %) and Marinomonas blandensis (96.7 %). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strains SM2066^T and SM1966^T and type strains of closely related Marinomonas species were all below 22.9 and 79.9 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids of the two strains were summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω6c/C_16 : 1  ω7c), summed feature 8 (C_18 : 1  ω7c) and C_16 : 0, with their predominant polar lipids being phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, and their sole respiratory quinone being Q-8. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains SM2066^T and SM1966^T determined from genomic sequences were 40.3 and 41.6 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented in this study, strains SM2066^T and SM1966^T are considered to represent two novel species within the genus Marinomonas, for which the names Marinomonas colpomeniae sp. nov. and Marinomonas algicola sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are SM2066^T (=MCCC 1K04390^T= KCTC 82372^T) and SM1966^T (=MCCC 1K04387^T= KCTC 72848^T), respectively.

Ghrelin Affects Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating AMPK Signaling Pathway

As the endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR), Ghrelin is aberrant expressed in multiple malignant carcinoma, and involved in regulating a number of progression of cancer, especially in metastasis and proliferation. However, the precise role of Ghrelin in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer (GC) is still poorly understood. In this study, we extensively investigated the roles and mechanisms of Ghrelin in human gastric cancer. Ghrelin levels in cancer tissues and cell lines were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. Functional studies were performed after Ghrelin overexpressed or knockdown in AGS cell line. Cell proliferation was evaluated in by MTT and clone formation assays. The wound healing and Transwell system were used to assess the cell migration and invasive ability of GC cells. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and metabolic assays were performed to reveal the function of Warburg effect in the process. Ghrelin was lowly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of Ghrelin inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis by activating the AMPK pathway, while D-[lys3]-GHRP-6 (a GHSR agonist) treatment relieved the effect, promoting tumorigenesis. Ghrelin knockdown increased the glucose uptake and lactic acid release, suggesting that Ghrelin elicited an anti-Warburg effect via AMPK pathway to inhibit gastric tumorigenesis. Ghrelin inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by eliciting an anti-Warburg effect via AMPK signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells.

[Research on mental health status of medical staff during COVID-19 epidemic]

Objective: To explore the psychological status of medical staff during COVID-19 epidemic, so as to provide reference and scientific basis for carrying out further psychological intervention and ensuring the mental health of medical staff. Methods: By using convenient sampling method and the Stresss-Anxiety ubscale of Depression Anxiety Stress (DASS-21) , the mental health status of 615 medical staff was investigated by the way of questionnaire star from February 4 to 16, 2020. A total of 615 questionnaires were distributed and collected, and 615 were valid, with an effective recovery rate of 100%. Results: The detection rates of psychological stress and anxiety of medical staff were 13.82% (85/615) and 25.37% (156/615) , respectively. 31-40 years old and working in key departments were risk factors for psychological stress of medical staff (OR=1.779, 2.127) ; Women, frequently washing hands with soap/hand sanitizer/disinfectant were protective factors for psychological stress (OR=0.520, 0.528) . Medical staff working in designated hospitals and key departments were more likely to have anxiety (OR=2.042, 2.702) ; The high fit of the mask to the face and bridge of the nose was a protective factor for the psychological anxiety of medical staff (OR=0.500) . Conclusion: Medical staff show higher stress and anxiety during the epidemic of COVID-19. Psychological intervention should be carried out early, focusing on men, age 31 to 40, medical staff working in designated hospitals and key departments.

Pelagovum pacificum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Rhodobacteraceae isolated from surface seawater of the Mariana Trench

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, ovoid-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SM1903^T, was isolated from surface seawater of the Mariana Trench. The strain grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 35 °C) and with 1-15 % (optimum, 4 %) NaCl. It hydrolysed aesculin but did not reduce nitrate to nitrite and hydrolyse Tween 80. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SM1903^T formed a separate lineage within the family Rhodobacteraceae, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with type strains of Pseudooceanicola antarcticus (95.7 %) and Roseisalinus antarcticus (95.7 %). In phylogenetic trees based on single-copy OCs and whole proteins sequences, strain SM1903^T fell within a sub-cluster encompassed by Oceanicola granulosus, Roseisalinus antarcticus and Histidinibacterium lentulum and formed a branch adjacent to Oceanicola granulosus. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C_18 : 1  ω7c and/or C_18 : 1  ω6c), C_16 : 0 and 11-methyl-C_18 : 1  ω7c. The polar lipids mainly comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid, and one unidentified glycolipid. The solo respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SM1903^T was 66.0 mol%. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic characterization for strain SM1903^T, it is considered to represent a novel species of a novel genus in the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Pelagovum pacificum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM1903^T (=MCCC 1K03608^T=KCTC 72046^T).

Combined approaches to reveal genes associated with litter size in Yunshang black goats

Intensive artificial selection has been imposed in Yunshang black goats, the first black specialist mutton goat breed in China, with a breeding object of improving reproductive performance, which has contributed to reshaping of the genome including the characterization of SNP, ROH and haplotype. However, variation in reproductive ability exists in the present population. A WGS was implemented in two subpopulations (polytocous group, PG, and monotocous group, MG) with evident differences of litter size. Following the mapping to reference genome, and SNP calling and pruning, three approaches - GWAS, ROH analysis and detection of signatures of selection - were employed to unveil candidate genes responsible for litter size. Consequently, 12 candidate genes containing OSBPL8 with the minimum P-value were uncovered by GWAS. Differences were observed in the pattern of ROH between two subpopulations that shared similar low inbreeding coefficients. Two ROH hotspots and 12 corresponding genes emerged from ROH pool association analysis. Based on the nS_L statistic, 15 and 61 promising genes were disclosed under selection for MG and PG respectively. Of them, some promising genes participate in ovarian function (PPP2R5C, CDC25A, ESR1, RPS26 and SERPINBs), seasonal reproduction (DIO3, BTG1 and CRYM) and metabolism (OSBPL8, SLC39A5 and SERPINBs). Our study pinpointed some novel promising genes influencing litter size, provided a comprehensive insight into genetic makeup of litter size and might facilitate selective breeding in goats.

Protease-activated receptor 1 inhibitor improves brain edema in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

AIM

To investigate the changes of water content in brain tissue, the expression of AQP4mRNA after cerebral hemorrhage in rats, and the intervention effect of Protease activated receptor 1 inhibitor (PAR1 inhibitor) on both.

METHODS

Establish sham operation group (Sham group), ICH group, ICH+PAR1 inhibitor high-dose group (PI(H)group), ICH+PAR1 inhibitor low-dose group (PI(L)group), 25 in each group. Neural dysfunction scores were performed at 1d, 3d, 7d, 14d, and 21d after surgery, and brain water content and AQP4mRNA content were measured.

RESULTS

Results: The neurological dysfunction and cerebral edema of rats with cerebral hemorrhage reached the peak at 3 days after operation. With the increase of time, the water content and AQP4mRNA content in the PL(H)group were higher than those in the PI(L)group. The differences were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate inhibition of PAR1 can alleviate cerebral edema around the hematoma and play a role in improving the function of nerve defects. The mechanism may be realized by down-regulating the expression of AQP4mRNA in brain tissue (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 25).

Vibrio algicola sp. nov., isolated from the surface of coralline algae

A Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, facultative anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SM1977^T, was isolated from the surface of coralline algae collected from the intertidal zone at Qingdao, PR China. The strain grew at 10-35 °C, pH 4.5-8.5 and with 1-8.5% (w/v) NaCl. It reduced nitrate to nitrite and hydrolysed Tween 20 and DNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SM1977^T was affiliated with the genus Vibrio, having the highest sequence similarity (97.6 %) to the type strain of Vibrio casei, followed by those of another five species (95.6-97.6 %) in the Rumoiensis clade of the genus Vibrio. However, the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (75.3-75.9 %) and average nucleotide identity (21.6-22.8 %) values of SM1977^T against these close relatives were all below the corresponding thresholds to discriminate bacterial species. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1  ω7c and/or C_16:1  ω6c), C_16:0 and summed feature 8 (C_18:1  ω6c and /or C_18:1  ω7c). The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-8. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SM1977^T, determined from the obtained whole genomic sequence, was 42.3 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic results obtained in this study, strain SM1977^T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM1977^T (=MCCC 1K04351^T=KCTC 72847^T).