An unexpected dengue outbreak in Taiwan, 2023: A retrospective analysis of potential risk factors.

Background: Taiwan experienced a major dengue outbreak in 2023 following the relaxation of COVID-19 border controls. The contributing factors remained unclear. This study investigated potential virological, immunological, and clinical drivers.

Development of defined bacterial consortium as a bioaugmentation product for degrading mixed plastic wastes and plasticizers in simulated landfill.

Plastics and plasticizers pose significant waste management challenges, especially in landfills where degradation is slow. A plastic-degrading bacterial consortium offers a promising solution to accelerate this process. In this study, a bacterial consortium of Chitinophaga jiangningensis EA02, Nocardioides zeae EA12, Stenotrophomonas pavanii EA33, Gordonia desulfuricans EA63, Achromobacter xylosoxidans A9, and Mycolicibacterium parafortuitum J101, was cultivated in a molasses medium and applied to biodegrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in aqueous media and a pilot-scale simulated landfill at an actual landfill site to mimic real environmental conditions.

The Multifaceted Roles of Galectins in Host-Virus Interactions: A Comprehensive Overview.

Galectins are a family of β-galactosides-binding protein, crucial regulators of host-virus interactions. They achieve this by recognizing specific glycan patterns on viral surfaces or mediating interactions with intracellular viral or host proteins, subsequently influencing the critical phases of the viral life cycle, such as attachment, replication, immune evasion, and reactivation. Furthermore, galectins modulate host immune responses, shaping the progression and outcomes of viral infections.

Evaluation of recombinant extracellular enveloped virion protein candidates for the detection of serological responses to lumpy skin disease virus in cattle.

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a significant threat to cattle, particularly in countries like Thailand, where outbreaks have necessitated the importation of diagnostic kits and vaccines. This study aimed to evaluate several recombinant extracellular enveloped virion (EEV) protein candidates, including F13L, A33R, A34R, and B5R, for their potential use in serological detection assays for LSDV specific antibodies in cattle. Given the challenges associated with LSDV research, such as its classification as a Class III biological agent in Thailand, gene synthesis was employed to produce these proteins.

[Retracted] Feroniellin A‑induced autophagy causes apoptosis in multidrug‑resistant human A549 lung cancer cells.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that a pair of data panels (namely, the A549T‑eto/FERO, 1 mM and FERO, 12 h panels) in the cell viability experiments shown in Fig. 1B on p. 1235 were partially overlapping, where the data had apparently been derived from the same original source.

[Retracted] Upregulation of Stat1‑HDAC4 confers resistance to etoposide through enhanced multidrug resistance 1 expression in human A549 lung cancer cells.

Following the publication of this article, an interested reader drew to the Editor's attention that a pair of data panels in the cellular images shown in Fig. 1A on p. 2317 appeared to be overlapping, such that data which were intended to show the results from differently performed experiments had appparently been derived from the same original source.

Anti- (MYA-4889, ATCC) activity of Thai propolis from the stingless bee .

, a lipophilic pathogen, is known to be involved in various chronic skin diseases. Unfortunately, the available treatments have unwanted side effects and microbial drug resistance is evolving. As the antimicrobial activity of propolis is outstanding, this study aimed to examine the potential of propolis from the stingless bee against the yeast.

Nucleic Acid-Templated Synthesis of Cationic Styryl Dyes in Vitro and in Living Cells.

A novel method for synthesizing cationic styryl dyes through a nucleic acid-templated reaction has been developed. This approach overcomes issues associated with traditional synthesis methods, such as harsh conditions, low throughput, and wasteful chemicals. The presence of a nucleic acid template accelerated the styryl dye formation from quaternized heteroaromatic and cationic aldehyde substrates.

Paper-based electrochemical immunosensor for highly sensitive detection of chicken anemia virus.

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in young chickens. Given the importance of timely detection for maintaining livestock quality, there is a pressing need for rapid and field-deployable diagnostic tools. This study introduces a highly sensitive paper-based electrochemical immunosensor (PEI) for the detection of the 60 amino acid N-terminally truncated viral protein 1 (Δ60VP1), a derivative of the CAV capsid (VP1).

Development of a lateral flow assay for rapid and accurate detection of chicken anemia virus.

Significant challenges to poultry health are posed by chicken anemia virus (CAV), which induces immunosuppression and causes increased susceptibility to secondary infections. The effective management and containment of CAV within poultry stocks require precise and prompt diagnosis. However, a deficiency persists in the availability of low-cost, rapid, and portable CAV detection devices.

Strain Variation Can Significantly Modulate the miRNA Response to Zika Virus Infection.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus that has emerged as a major public health concern due to its association with neurological disorders in humans, including microcephaly in fetuses. ZIKV infection has been shown to alter the miRNA profile in host cells, and these changes can contain elements that are proviral, while others can be antiviral in action. In this study, the expression of 22 miRNAs in human A549 cells infected with two different ZIKV isolates was investigated.

Understanding the role of galectins toward influenza A virus infection.

Introduction: Influenza A virus (IAV) is highly contagious and causes respiratory diseases in birds, mammals, and humans. Some strains of IAV, whether from human or avian sources, have developed resistance to existing antiviral drugs. Therefore, the discovery of new influenza antiviral drugs and therapeutic approaches is crucial.

Development of a plastic waste treatment process by combining deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment and bioaugmentation with a plastic-degrading bacterial consortium.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a petroleum-based plastic, and polylactic acid (PLA), a biobased plastic, have a similar visual appearance thus they usually end up in municipal waste treatment facilities. The objective of this project was to develop an effective PET and PLA waste treatment process that involves pretreatment with deep eutectic solvent (DES) followed by biodegradation with a plastic-degrading bacterial consortium in a composting system. The DES used was a mixture of choline chloride and glycerol, while the bacterial strains (Chitinophaga jiangningensis EA02, Nocardioides zeae EA12, Stenotrophomonas pavanii EA33, Gordonia desulfuricans EA63, Achromobacter xylosoxidans A9 and Mycolicibacterium parafortuitum J101) used to prepare the bacterial consortium were selected based on their ability to biodegrade PET, PLA, and plasticizer.

Dengue overview: An updated systemic review.

Dengue is caused by the dengue virus (DENVs) infection and clinical manifestations include dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Due to a lack of antiviral drugs and effective vaccines, several therapeutic and control strategies have been proposed. A systemic literature review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to select proper references to give an overview of DENV infection.

Simultaneous Production of a Virus-Like Particle Linked to dsRNA to Enhance dsRNA Delivery for Yellow Head Virus Inhibition.

A co-expressed densovirus (DNV) capsid and dsRNA specific to the yellow head virus (YHV) (CoEx cpDNV/ds) has been shown to suppress YHV replication in the Pacific white-legged shrimp (). However, maintaining two plasmids in a single bacterial cell is not desirable; therefore, a single plasmid harboring both the DNV capsid and the dsRNA-YHV- gene was constructed under the regulation of a single T7 promoter, designated pET28a-Linked cpDNV-ds. Following induction, this novel construct expressed an approximately 37-kDa recombinant protein associated with a roughly 400-bp dsRNA (Linked cpDNV-ds).

Bioaugmentation with a defined bacterial consortium: A key to degrade high molecular weight polylactic acid during traditional composting.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is commercialized as a compostable bio-thermoplastic. PLA degrades under industrial composting conditions where elevated temperatures are maintained for a long timeframe. However, these conditions cannot be achieved in a non-industrial compost pile.

Enhancing Peptide Nucleic Acid-Nanomaterial Interaction and Performance Improvement of Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based Nucleic Acid Detection by Using Electrostatic Effects.

Single-stranded peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes interact strongly with several nanomaterials, and the interaction was diminished in the presence of complementary nucleic acid targets which forms the basis of many nucleic acid sensing platforms. As opposed to the negatively charged DNA probes, the charges on the PNA probes may be fine-tuned by incorporating amino acids with charged side chains. The contribution of electrostatic effects to the interaction between PNA probes and nanomaterials has been largely overlooked.

Targets and strategies for vaccine development against dengue viruses.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a global health threat causing about half of the worldwide population to be at risk of infection, especially the people living in tropical and subtropical area. Although the dengue disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) is asymptomatic and self-limiting in most people with first infection, increased severe dengue symptoms may be observed in people with heterotypic secondary DENV infection. Since there is a lack of specific antiviral medication, the development of dengue vaccines is critical in the prevention and control this disease.

A multi-target dsRNA for simultaneous inhibition of yellow head virus and white spot syndrome virus in shrimp.

Outbreaks of diseases caused by yellow head virus (YHV) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in shrimp have resulted in economic losses worldwide. DsRNA-mediated RNAi has been used to control these viruses, and the best target genes for efficient inhibition of YHV and WSSV are the protease and ribonuleotide reductase small subunit (rr2), respectively. However, one dsRNA can suppress only one virus, and therefore the production of multi-target dsRNA to effectively inhibit both YHV and WSSV is needed.

Effective production of recombinant Δ60VP1 chicken anemia virus protein in Escherichia coli and its application to a serodiagnostic indirect ELISA.

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) causes severe anemia and immunosuppression in chickens. VP1 is the main capsid protein, and is suitable for diagnostic kit development, however, it has 24 arginine residues in the first forty N-terminal amino acids of the protein causing toxicity to bacteria leading to reduced prokaryotic expression. In this study, a 60 amino acid N-terminally truncated VP1 (Δ60VP1) which removes the toxic region was expressed in Escherichia coli and the resultant insoluble recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography with anionic denaturing detergents.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever - A systemic literature review of current perspectives on pathogenesis, prevention and control.

Background: Dengue is an arboviral disease caused by dengue virus. Symptomatic dengue infection causes a wide range of clinical manifestations, from mild dengue fever (DF) to potentially fatal disease, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). We conducted a literature review to analyze the risks of DHF and current perspectives for DHF prevention and control.

An epidemiological survey of the current status of Zika and the immune interaction between dengue and Zika infection in Southern Taiwan.

Objectives: This study was performed to examine the current status of Zika and the effects of pre-existing dengue immunity on Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Southern Taiwan.

Methods: A phylogenetic tree was used to analyze the phylogeny of detected ZIKVs. Paired sera from dengue patients were collected for the determination of dengue and Zika infection.

The role of galectins in virus infection - A systemic literature review.

Background: Galectins are β-Galactose binding lectins expressed in numerous cells and play multiple roles in various physiological and cellular functions. However, few information is available regarding the role of galectins in virus infections. Here, we conducted a systemic literature review to analyze the role of galectins in human virus infection.