Zika virus cleaves GSDMD to disseminate prognosticable and controllable oncolysis in a human glioblastoma cell model

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common aggressive malignant brain cancer and is chemo- and radioresistant, with poor therapeutic outcomes. The "double-edged sword" of virus-induced cell death could be a potential solution if the oncolytic virus specifically kills cancer cells but spares normal ones. Zika virus (ZIKV) has been defined as a prospective oncolytic virus by selectively targeting GBM cells, but unclear understanding of how ZIKV kills GBM and the consequences hinders its application. Here, we found that the cellular gasdermin D (GSDMD) is required for the efficient death of a human GBM cell line caused by ZIKV infection. The ZIKV protease specifically cleaves human GSDMD to activate caspase-independent pyroptosis, harming both viral protease-harboring and naive neighboring cells. Analyzing human GSDMD variants showed that most people were susceptible to ZIKV-induced cytotoxicity, except for those with variants that resisted ZIKV cleavage or were defective in oligomerizing the N terminus GSDMD cleavage product. Consistently, ZIKV-induced secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β and cytolytic activity were both stopped by a small-molecule inhibitor targeting GSDMD oligomerization. Thus, potential ZIKV oncolytic therapy for GBM would depend on the patient's GSDMD genetic background and could be abolished by GSDMD inhibitors if required.

Induction of high affinity monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variant infection using a DNA prime-protein boost strategy

BACKGROUND

Calls for the coronavirus to be treated as an endemic illness, such as the flu, are increasing. After achieving high coverage of COVID-19 vaccination, therapeutic drugs have become important for future SARS-CoV-2 variant outbreaks. Although many monoclonal antibodies have been approved for emergency use as treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection, some monoclonal antibodies are not authorized for variant treatment. Broad-spectrum monoclonal antibodies are unmet medical needs.

METHODS

We used a DNA prime-protein boost approach to generate high-quality monoclonal antibodies. A standard ELISA was employed for the primary screen, and spike protein-human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 blocking assays were used for the secondary screen. The top 5 blocking clones were selected for further characterization, including binding ability, neutralization potency, and epitope mapping. The therapeutic effects of the best monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated in a hamster infection model.

RESULTS

Several monoclonal antibodies were selected that neutralize different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). These VOCs include Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Kappa and Lambda variants. The high neutralizing antibody titers against the Beta variant would be important to treat Beta-like variants. Among these monoclonal antibodies, mAb-S5 displays the best potency in terms of binding affinity and neutralizing capacity. Importantly, mAb-S5 protects animals from SARS-CoV-2 challenge, including the Wuhan strain, D614G, Alpha and Delta variants, although mAb-S5 exhibits decreased neutralization potency against the Delta variant. Furthermore, the identified neutralizing epitopes of monoclonal antibodies are all located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein but in different regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our approach generates high-potency monoclonal antibodies against a broad spectrum of VOCs. Multiple monoclonal antibody combinations may be the best strategy to treat future SARS-CoV-2 variant outbreaks.

Evaluating the Potential of Protected Cultivation for Off-Season Leafy Vegetable Production: Prospects for Crop Productivity and Nutritional Improvement

The effects of different protective structures on horticultural and nutritional yield of amaranth and water spinach were studied in three seasons of 2020–2021 in Taiwan. The number of people that can receive recommended dietary intake of iron and β-Carotene from vegetables grown under different production conditions was also estimated. The yield of white and red amaranths was consistently better (7.68–19.70 t/ha) under pink poly-net house in all the seasons, but the yield of water spinach was consistently better under white poly-net house (16.25–20.88 t/ha). Spider mite (fall & spring) and aphid (winter) infestation was mostly observed on all crops under poly-net houses. Neoxanthin, lutein and β-carotene were almost two-fold higher in red amaranth harvested from poly-net houses than open field. Based on the RDI values, β-Carotene supply to both men and women (14+) was consistently higher in all crops produced under pink ploy-net houses in all seasons, except for white amaranth produced under white poly-net house during winter. Its supply to 64,788 more men and 83,298 more women was estimated for red amaranth harvested from pink poly-net house than other production conditions. α-carotene was 2–3 fold higher in amaranths and water spinach harvested from poly-net houses than open field. The iron content of the amaranths was lower in poly-net houses (234.50–574.04 g/ha) than open field (645.42–881.67 g/ha) in the fall, but its supply from pink poly-net house was comparable with open field in the winter. However, pink poly-net house was the highest iron supplier from water spinach (323.90 g/ha) in the winter, which was estimated to provide iron to 19,450–22,939 more men and women than other production conditions. Both poly-net houses were the sole supplier of iron through amaranths in the spring, with pink poly-net house supplying iron to 2,000–5,000 more men and women. Thus, protected cultivation not only leads to more marketable yields but also results in higher quantities of health promoting nutrients. Hence, pink poly-net house may be considered to produce more nutritious vegetables, especially during the off-season to bridge the gaps in the seasonal variations in vegetable consumption, besides providing better income opportunities to the smallholder farmers.

Small Structural Proteins E and M Render the SARS-CoV-2 Pseudovirus More Infectious and Reveal the Phenotype of Natural Viral Variants

The SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus is a commonly used strategy that mimics certain biological functions of the authentic virus by relying on biological legitimacy at the molecular level. Despite the fact that spike (S), envelope (E), and membrane (M) proteins together wrap up the SARS-CoV-2 virion, most of the reported pseudotype viruses consist of only the S protein. Here, we report that the presence of E and M increased the virion infectivity by promoting the S protein priming. The S, E, and M (SEM)-coated pseudovirion is spherical, containing crown-like spikes on the surface. Both S and SEM pseudoviruses packaged the same amounts of viral RNA, but the SEM virus bound more efficiently to cells stably expressing the viral receptor human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) and became more infectious. Using this SEM pseudovirus, we examined the infectivity and antigenic properties of the natural SARS-CoV-2 variants. We showed that some variants have higher infectivity than the original virus and that some render the neutralizing plasma with lower potency. These studies thus revealed possible mechanisms of the dissemination advantage of these variants. Hence, the SEM pseudovirion provides a useful tool to evaluate the viral infectivity and capability of convalescent sera in neutralizing specific SARS-CoV-2 S dominant variants.

Digital halftoning method with simultaneously optimized perceptual image quality and drive current for multi-tonal electrophoretic displays

While using digital halftoning to achieve multi-tones in a 1 bit electrophoretic display (EPD), e.g., a three-pigment chromatic EPD, the drive current is significantly increased because of frequently reversed pixel values. Aimed at this issue, this study first establishes a model that can accurately predict the drive current from image content. Next, based on the direct binary search method, a new halftoning method is proposed by constructing a combined merit function that incorporates both the perceptual image quality and the drive current. As a result, in experiments using a 13.5 in. three-pigment EPD and several test images, compared with the well-developed error-diffusion method, the proposed method produces little image quality degradation, whereas the drive current increase with respect to the minimum current of the EPD is reduced from 71.8 to 33.0 mA, for a significant reduction of 54.0%.

Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with migraine: a population-based, propensity score-matched cohort study

Previous cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between migraine and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but no longitudinal study has been performed to evaluate the temporal relationship between the two conditions. The purpose of the present population-based, propensity score-matched cohort study was to investigate whether migraineurs are at a higher risk of developing RA. A total of 58,749 subjects aged between 20 and 90 years with at least two ambulatory visits with a diagnosis of migraine were recruited in the migraine group. We fit a logistic regression model that included age, sex, comorbid conditions, and socioeconomic status as covariates to compute the propensity score. The non-migraine group consisted of 58,749 propensity score-matched, randomly sampled subjects without migraine. The RA-free survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Stratified Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the effect of migraine on the risk of RA. During follow-up, 461 subjects in the migraine group and 220 in the non-migraine group developed RA. The incidence rate of RA was 3.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.90-3.49) per 1000 person-years in the migraine group and 1.54 (95% CI 1.34-1.76) per 1000 person-years in the non-migraine group. Compared to the non-migraine group, the crude hazard ratio of RA for the migraine group was 2.15 (95% CI 1.82-2.56, P < 0.0001), and the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio was 1.91 (95% CI 1.58-2.31, P < 0.0001). This study showed that patients with migraine had an increased risk of developing RA.

Migraine is related to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease: A population-based, propensity score-matched, longitudinal follow-up study

Background

The association between migraine and Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains controversial. The purpose of the present population-based, propensity score-matched follow-up study was to investigate whether migraineurs are at a higher risk of developing PD.

Methods

A total of 41,019 subjects aged between 40 and 90 years with at least two ambulatory visits with a diagnosis of migraine in 2001 were enrolled in the migraine group. A logistic regression model that included age, sex, pre-existing comorbidities and socioeconomic status as covariates was used to compute the propensity score. The non-migraine group consisted of 41,019 propensity score-matched, randomly sampled subjects without migraine. The PD-free survival rate were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Stratified Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the effect of migraine on the risk of developing PD.

Results

During follow-up, 148 subjects in the migraine group and 101 in the non-migraine group developed PD. Compared to the non-migraine group, the hazard ratio of PD for the migraine group was 1.64 (95% confidence interval: 1.25–2.14, p = 0.0004). The PD-free survival rate for the migraine group was significantly lower than that for the non-migraine group ( p = 0.0041).

Conclusions

This study showed an increased risk of developing PD in patients with migraine.

Preferred and actual place of death in haematological malignancy

Objectives

Home is considered the preferred place of death for many, but patients with haematological malignancies (leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloma) die in hospital more often than those with other cancers and the reasons for this are not wholly understood. We examined preferred and actual place of death among people with these diseases.

Methods

The study is embedded within an established population-based cohort of patients with haematological malignancies. All patients diagnosed at two of the largest hospitals in the study area between May 2005 and April 2008 with acute myeloid leukaemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or myeloma, who died before May 2010 were included. Data were obtained from medical records and routine linkage to national death records.

Results

323 deceased patients were included. A total of 142 (44%) had discussed their preferred place of death; 45.8% wanted to die at home, 28.2% in hospital, 16.9% in a hospice, 5.6% in a nursing home and 3.5% were undecided; 63.4% of these died in their preferred place. Compared to patients with evidence of a discussion, those without were twice as likely to have died within a month of diagnosis (14.8% vs 29.8%). Overall, 240 patients died in hospital; those without a discussion were significantly more likely to die in hospital than those who had (p≤0.0001). Of those dying in hospital, 90% and 75.8% received haematology clinical input in the 30 and 7 days before death, respectively, and 40.8% died in haematology areas.

Conclusions

Many patients discussed their preferred place of death, but a substantial proportion did not and hospital deaths were common in this latter group. There is scope to improve practice, particularly among those dying soon after diagnosis. We found evidence that some people opted to die in hospital; the extent to which this compares with other cancers is of interest.

The use of ADSCs as a treatment for chronic stroke

Stroke is one of the disorders for which clinically effective therapeutic modalities are most needed, and numerous ways have been explored to attempt to investigate their feasibilities. However, ischemic- or hemorrhagic-induced inflammatory neuron death causes irreversible injuries and infarction regions, and there are currently no truly effective drugs available as therapy. It is therefore urgent to be able to provide a fundamental treatment method to regenerate neuronal brain cells, and therefore, the use of stem cells for curing chronic stroke could be a major breakthrough development. In this review, we describe the features and classification of stroke and focus on the benefits of adipose tissue-derived stem cells and their applications in stroke animal models. The results show that cell-based therapies have resulted in significant improvements in neuronal behaviors and functions through different molecular mechanisms, and no safety problems have so far arisen after transplantation. Further, we propose a clinical possibility to create a homing niche by reducing the degree of invasive intracerebroventricular transplantation and combining it with continuous intravenous administration to achieve a complete cure.

Proliferation and differentiation potential of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells isolated from elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures

Aging has less effect on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) than on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), but whether the fact holds true in stem cells from elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures is unknown. In this study, ADSCs and BMSCs of the same donor were harvested and divided into two age groups. Group A consisted of 14 young patients (36.4 ± 11.8 years old), and group B consisted of eight elderly patients (71.4 ± 3.6 years old) with osteoporotic fractures. We found that the doubling time of ADSCs from both age groups was maintained below 70 hrs, while that of BMSCs increased significantly with the number of passage. When ADSCs and BMSCs from the same patient were compared, there was a significant increase in the doubling time of BMSCs in each individual from passages 3 to 6. On osteogenic induction, the level of matrix mineralization of ADSCs from group B was comparable to that of ADSCs from group A, whereas BMSCs from group B produced least amount of mineral deposits and had a lower expression level of osteogenic genes. The p21 gene expression and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity were lower in ADSCs compared to BMSCs, which may be partly responsible for the greater proliferation and differentiation potential of ADSCs. It is concluded that the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs were less affected by age and multiple passage than BMSCs, suggesting that ADSCs may become a potentially effective therapeutic option for cell-based therapy, especially in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

PROGINS Alu sequence insertion is associated with hyperprolactinaemia but not leiomyoma susceptibility

OBJECTIVE

Leiomyoma and hyperprolactinaemia are both progesterone-dependent diseases. Hormone-related genes, such as the progesterone receptor (PGR), might be involved in their pathogenesis.

DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS

Subjects were divided into three groups: (i) leiomyoma (n = 120); (ii) hyperprolactinaemia (n = 101); (iii) normal controls (n = 140). We investigated the Alu (306-bp DNA) insertion in intron G of the PGR gene in all individuals. PGR gene polymorphisms [T1 (wild-type); T2 (PROGINS, with Alu insertion)] were determined by PCR and electrophoresis. Genotype and allele frequencies of the PROGINS in each group were detected and compared.

RESULTS

We observed no significant difference of the PGR*T1/T2 genotypes and allele frequencies between leiomyoma and other two groups. The proportions of T1 homozygote/heterozygote/T2 homozygote in each group were (i) 90/8.3/1.7%; (ii) 84.2/9.9/5.9%; (iii) 92.9/6.4/0.7%. In contrast, a higher percentage of T2-related genotype and allele were noted in hyperprolactinaemic women compared to other two groups. The proportions of T1/T2 alleles in each group were: (i) 94.2/5.8%; (ii) 89.1/10.9%; (iii) 96.1/3.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The PROGIN*T2-related genotype and allele are related to a higher susceptibility to hyperprolactinaemia. The PROGINS polymorphism is not associated with leiomyoma development.

Hippocampal CRF, NE, and NMDA system interactions in memory processing in the rat

In the present study, we investigated the neural mechanisms of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the interactions among CRF, norepinephrine (NE), and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) systems in the dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus in modulating the memory process of rats. One-way passive avoidance task was adopted. Results indicated that CRF (80 ng), when directly injected into the DG, consistently and significantly enhanced memory retention in rats. The noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4, at a high dose (4 micrograms), impaired memory. DSP-4 at a moderate dose (2 micrograms), which did not affect retention alone, antagonized the memory-enhancing effect of CRF. Similarly, the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol, at a high dose (8 micrograms), reduced retention. At a low dose (80 ng), which did not markedly affect retention by itself, propranolol also prevented the memory-improving effect of CRF. Moreover, direct NE infusions to the DG significantly improved retention performance in a dose-sensitive manner. Coadministration of CRF and NE did not further enhance retention. These results together suggest that CRF and NE facilitated memory probably through the same instead of independent mechanisms. In contrast, the selective NMDA receptor antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (AP5) and MK801, at high doses markedly impaired memory retention (0.8 and 3.2 micrograms for AP5, 2 and 10 micrograms for MK801). At a dose of MK801 that did not significantly alter retention alone (80 ng), it completely blocked the memory-facilitating effect of CRF. These results indicate that CRF enhanced memory indirectly through NMDA receptor mediation also. Finally, MK801 at 80 ng also successfully antagonized the memory-facilitating effect of NE in the DG. We have demonstrated that MK801, at the dose chosen for interaction studies, did not markedly alter locomotor activity. These results together suggest that CRF, through a presynaptic facilitation mechanism, possibly facilitates NE release in the DG; increased NE release and stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in the DG result in NMDA receptor activations in the same area. This sequence of events enhance the memory consolidation process in the hippocampus and explained the neural mechanism of CRF in facilitating retention performance in rats. The same neuropeptide/neurotransmitter interactions may have other physiological and neuropathological implications.