An ultra-sensitive, multiplexed, and cost-effective POCT system for the detection of co-infecting respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Flu A, Flu B, and RSV, within 30 min.

The co-circulation of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A (Flu A), Influenza B (Flu B), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), poses a significant public health threat. Timely recognition of these viruses allows healthcare professionals to implement effective infection control measures, allocate medical resources properly, and prevent complications from incorrect treatments. Multiplex nucleic acid testing Point-of-care test (mNAT-POCT) circumvents issues of traditional tests, such as high demands on laboratory environments, personnel, and equipment, and limited target analyses, allowing its use in point-of-care settings.

Bivalent rotavirus VP4∗ stimulates protective antibodies against common genotypes of human rotaviruses.

Non-replicating rotavirus vaccines are an alternative strategy to improve the efficacy and safety of rotavirus vaccines. The spike protein VP4, which could be enzymatically cleaved into VP8∗ and VP5∗, is an ideal target for the development of recombinant rotavirus vaccine. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that the truncated VP4 (aa26-476, VP4∗) could be a more viable vaccine candidate compared to VP8∗ and VP5∗.

Value of echocardiography in evaluating efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To analyze the cardiac structure and function of patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) with echocardiography and to predict the factors affecting recurrence.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 87 patients who received RFCA for AF in the Weihai Municipal Hospital from June 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled. According to the recovery of postoperative sinus rhythm (SR), patients with recovered SR were assigned to the research group (Res group, n=60), while those with AF recurrence were included in the control group (Con group, n=27).

Development of a skin- and neuro-attenuated live vaccine for varicella.

Varicella caused by the primary infection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) exerts a considerable disease burden globally. Current varicella vaccines consisting of the live-attenuated vOka strain of VZV are generally safe and effective. However, vOka retains full neurovirulence and can establish latency and reactivate to cause herpes zoster in vaccine recipients, raising safety concerns.

Spatiotemporal estimation of the PM concentration and human health risks combining the three-dimensional landscape pattern index and machine learning methods to optimize land use regression modeling in Shaanxi, China.

PM pollution endangers human health and urban sustainable development. Land use regression (LUR) is one of the most important methods to reveal the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of PM, and the introduction of characteristic variables of geographical factors and the improvement of model construction methods are important research directions for its optimization. However, the complex non-linear correlation between PM and influencing indicators is always unrecognized by the traditional regression model.

Estimating PM concentration using the machine learning GA-SVM method to improve the land use regression model in Shaanxi, China.

With rapid economic growth, urbanization and industrialization, fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM) has become a major pollutant and shows adverse effects on both human health and the atmospheric environment. Many studies on estimating PM concentrations have been performed using statistical regression models and satellite remote sensing.

L-Carnitine inhibits the senescence-associated secretory phenotype of aging adipose tissue by JNK/p53 pathway.

Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) plays a role in aging adipose tissue dysfunction by directly promoting chronic inflammation. The JNK/p53 pathway was reported as a potential mechanism that mediates SASP. In this study, we investigated the effects of L-carnitine, an inhibitor of the JNK/p53 pathway in adipose tissue SASP and dysfunction.

Role of the CHADS Score in the Evaluation of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Carotid Artery Ultrasonography.

Objective: This study investigated the characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and determined the feasibility and significance of the CHADS score in predicting the degree of carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 109) with nonvalvular AF were registered and classified into two groups, the paroxysmal AF group (n = 59) and persistent AF group (n = 50). Fifty healthy patients, matched by sex and age, were considered the control group.

Outer nuclear membrane fusion of adjacent nuclei in varicella-zoster virus-induced syncytia.

Syncytia formation has been considered important for cell-to-cell spread and pathogenesis of many viruses. As a syncytium forms, individual nuclei often congregate together, allowing close contact of nuclear membranes and possibly fusion to occur. However, there is currently no reported evidence of nuclear membrane fusion between adjacent nuclei in wild-type virus-induced syncytia.

Evaluation of immunity to varicella zoster virus with a novel double antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Varicella is a highly contagious disease caused by primary infection of Varicella zoster virus (VZV). Varicella can be severe or even lethal in susceptible adults, immunocompromised patients and neonates. Determination of the status of immunity to VZV is recommended for these high-risk populations.

Functional analysis of human cytomegalovirus UL/b' region using SCID-hu mouse model.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) attenuated strains, Towne, and AD169, differ from prototypic pathogenic strains, such as Toledo, in that they are missing a ∼15-kb segment in the UL/b' region. In contrast to the attenuated strains, Toledo can replicate in human tissue implants in SCID (SCID-hu) mice. Thus, this model provides a unique in vivo system to study the mechanism of viral pathogenesis.

Modulation of host CD59 expression by varicella-zoster virus in human xenografts in vivo.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of both chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (zoster). VZV survives host defenses, even with an intact immune system, and disseminates in the host before causing disease. To date, several diverse immunomodulatory strategies used by VZV to undermine host immunity have been identified; however, few studies have addressed the complement evasion strategies used by this virus.

Serological Evaluation of Immunity to the Varicella-Zoster Virus Based on a Novel Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious agent of varicella and herpes zoster. Varicella can be lethal to immunocompromised patients, babies, HIV patients and other adults with impaired immunity. Serological evaluation of immunity to VZV will help determine which individuals are susceptible and evaluate vaccine effectiveness.

A monoclonal antibody-based VZV glycoprotein E quantitative assay and its application on antigen quantitation in VZV vaccine.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly infectious agent that causes varicella and herpes zoster (HZ), which may be associated with severe neuralgia. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the burden of the diseases. VZV glycoprotein E (gE) is the major and most immunogenic membrane protein that plays important roles in vaccine efficacy.

ORF7 of varicella-zoster virus is a neurotropic factor.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of chickenpox and herpes zoster (shingles). After the primary infection, the virus remains latent in sensory ganglia and reactivates upon weakening of the cellular immune system due to various conditions, erupting from sensory neurons and infecting the corresponding skin tissue. The current varicella vaccine is highly attenuated in the skin and yet retains its neurovirulence and may reactivate and damage sensory neurons.

RNA Interference inhibits hepatitis B virus of different genotypes in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection increases the risk of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be a potential new tool for HBV therapy. Given the high heterogeneity of HBV strains and the sensitivity towards sequences changes of siRNA, finding a potent siRNA inhibitor against the conservative site on the HBV genome is essential to ensure a therapeutic application.