A T cell-based ubiquitin-mediated mRNA vaccine provides cross-protection against H1N1 and B influenza viruses in mice.

Given the persistent antigenic drift of seasonal influenza viruses and the continuous threat of emerging pandemics, there is an urgent necessity to develop novel influenza vaccines capable of conferring broad-spectrum immunity against multiple viral subtypes. CD8 T cells provide a promising approach to achieving such protection because of their ability to recognize conserved internal antigens. Particularly, the highly cross-reactive internal nucleoprotein of influenza virus demonstrates remarkable efficacy in safeguarding against infection caused by diverse strains.

Ocular and confocal manifestations of Mainland Chinese with Fabry disease: a cross-sectional controlled study.

Background: This cross-sectional controlled study aims to characterize ocular manifestations and corneal microstructure via in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in mainland Chinese patients with Fabry disease (FD). We evaluated 30 FD patients (mean age: 38 ± 14.41 years; range: 10-60 years), divided equally into enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)-treated and untreated groups, alongside 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Modified scoring model incorporating waist-hip ratio for predicting advanced colorectal neoplasia.

Background: Designing a feasible risk prediction model for advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) can enhance colonoscopy screening efficiency. Abdominal obesity is associated with colorectal cancer development.

Aim: To propose and evaluate a modified scoring model incorporating waist-hip ratio for the prediction of ACN.

Evaluation of broad-spectrum protection by novel mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta, Omicron-BA.5, XBB-EG.5) in the golden hamster model.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has continuously evolved, with new variants like Delta, Omicron-BA.5, and XBB-EG.5 posing challenges to vaccine efficacy.

Association Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Refractive Errors: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study.

Purpose: This investigation aimed to elucidate the causal role of inflammatory cytokines in the risk of developing refractive errors.

Methods: Genetic variants previously associated with inflammatory cytokines served as instrumental variables in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of European ancestry. Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted using summary data from GWAS meta-analyses.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the gene family in sorghum under salt-alkali stress.

Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) are crucial for plant growth and development. Utilizing whole genome data, this study delineated the number of genes, gene structure, chromosomal localization, protein structure, evolutionary relationships, and Gene Ontology (GO) annotations of the family in sorghum ( L.).

An mRNA vaccine against monkeypox virus inhibits infection by co-activation of humoral and cellular immune responses.

The persistent monkeypox outbreaks intensify the demand for monkeypox vaccines. Based on the mRNA vaccine platform, we conduct a systematic screening of monkeypox virus (MPXV) surface proteins from two types of viral particles, extracellular enveloped viruses (EVs) and intracellular mature viruses (MVs). This screening unveils 12 important antigens with diverse levels of neutralizing immunogenicity.

Rationally Designed Universal Melting Probes (Uni-Melt) for Multiplex Genotyping.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with probe-based melting curve techniques has been widely used in multiplex genotyping for early diagnosis of genetic diseases and common cancers. However, traditional designs face limitations due to the high modification cost of sensing probes and complex background fluorescence signals. Herein, we introduce the Universal Melting Probes (Uni-Melt) system, a closed-tube PCR assay for multiplex genotyping that incorporates barcoded PCR amplification and universal hybridization probes for melting curve analysis.

Strip and boundary detection multi-task learning network for segmentation of meibomian glands.

Background: Automatic segmentation of meibomian glands in near-infrared meibography images is basis of morphological parameter analysis, which plays a crucial role in facilitating the diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The special strip shape and the adhesion between glands make the automatic segmentation of meibomian glands very challenging.

Purpose: A strip and boundary detection multi-task learning network (SBD-MTLNet) based on encoder-decoder structure is proposed to realize the automatic segmentation of meibomian glands.

Discovery of potent and selective factor XIa inhibitors incorporating triazole-based benzoic acid as novel P2' fragments: Molecular dynamics simulations and anticoagulant activity.

Factor XIa (FXIa) has emerged as a novel anticoagulant target with a reduced risk of bleeding. However, due to the nearly identical residues it shares with its closest homologue, plasma kallikrein (PKa), only a few selective FXIa inhibitors have been reported. Herein, we describe the discovery of novel triazole-based pyridone derivatives as potent and selective FXIa inhibitors.

The self-assembled nanoparticle-based multi-epitope influenza mRNA vaccine elicits protective immunity against H1N1 and B influenza viruses in mice.

Introduction: The influenza virus is recognized as the primary cause of human respiratory diseases, with the current influenza vaccine primarily offering strain-specific immunity and limited protection against drifting strains. Considering this, the development of a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine capable of inducing effective immunity is considered the future direction in combating influenza.

Methods: The present study proposes a novel mRNA-based multi-epitope influenza vaccine, which combines three conserved antigens derived from the influenza A virus.

Constructing a Ready-to-Use mRNA Vaccine Delivery System for the Prevention of Influenza A virus, Utilizing FDA-Approved Raw Materials.

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, serving as a rapid and easily scalable emergency preventive measure, have played a pivotal role in preventing infectious diseases. The effectiveness of mRNA vaccines heavily relies on the delivery carrier, but the current market options are predominantly lipid nanoparticles. Their intricate preparation process and high transportation costs pose challenges for widespread use in remote areas.

Dynamic Covalent Hydrogel as a Single-Dose Vaccine Adjuvant for Sustained Antigen Release and Significantly Elevated Humoral Immunity.

Vaccine is the most important way for fighting against infection diseases. However, multiple injections and unsatisfied immune responses are the main obstacles for current vaccine application. Herein, a dynamic covalent hydrogel (DCH) is used as a single-dose vaccine adjuvant for eliciting robust and sustained humoral immunity.

Ferritin-binding and ubiquitination-modified mRNA vaccines induce potent immune responses and protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) incessantly engenders mutating strains via immune escape mechanisms, substantially escalating the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome. In this context, the urgent development of innovative and efficacious mRNA vaccines is imperative. In our study, we synthesized six unique mRNA vaccine formulations: the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) monomer vaccine, RBD dimer (2RBD) vaccine, RBD-Ferritin (RBD-Fe) vaccine, ubiquitin-modified wild-type Nucleocapsid gene (WT-N) vaccine, rearranged Nucleocapsid gene (Re-N) vaccine, and an epitope-based (COVID-19 epitope) vaccine, all encapsulated within the lipid nanoparticle SM102.

Modularized viromimetic polymer nanoparticle vaccines (VPNVaxs) to elicit durable and effective humoral immune responses.

Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines had shown great potential during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was thought to be the next generation of antiviral vaccine technology due to viromimetic structures. However, the time-consuming and complicated processes in establishing a current recombinant-protein-based VLP vaccine has limited its quick launch to the out-bursting pandemic. To simplify and optimize VLP vaccine design, we herein report a kind of viromimetic polymer nanoparticle vaccine (VPNVax), with subunit receptor-binding domain (RBD) proteins conjugated to the surface of polyethylene glycol--polylactic acid (PEG--PLA) nanoparticles for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

The Role of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in Ocular GVHD Following Allogeneic Transplantation.

Purpose: To figure out the roles of tear inflammatory cytokines in Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) symptoms by analyzing tear cytokine levels and related factors.

Methods: This prospective study involved 27 post-HSCT patients and 19 controls with dry eye disease. Analyses included tear cytokine (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), ocular surface evaluation, and conjunctival impression cell examination.

Study on Related Factors of the Treatment Zone After Wearing Paragon CRT and Euclid Orthokeratology Lenses.

Objective: To explore the influence factors of the treatment zone diameter (TZD) and its relationship with axial length growth (ALG) after wearing Paragon CRT and Euclid orthokeratology lenses.

Methods: The right eye data of myopic patients wearing Paragon CRT and Euclid orthokeratology in the ophthalmology department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively reviewed from April 2019 to October 2022. The TZD and ALG were compared between the Paragon CRT and Euclid groups.

Inhalation delivery of dexamethasone with iSEND nanoparticles attenuates the COVID-19 cytokine storm in mice and nonhuman primates.

Dexamethasone (DEX) is the first drug to show life-saving efficacy in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while DEX is associated with serious adverse effects. Here, we report an inhaled, Self-immunoregulatory, Extracellular Nanovesicle-based Delivery (iSEND) system by engineering neutrophil nanovesicles with cholesterols to deliver DEX for enhanced treatment of COVID-19. Relying on surface chemokine and cytokine receptors, the iSEND showed improved targeting to macrophages and neutralized broad-spectrum cytokines.

Inactivated vaccine-elicited potent antibodies can broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants.

A full understanding of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine-mediated antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants will inform vaccine effectiveness and vaccination development strategies. Here, we offer insights into the inactivated vaccine-induced antibody responses after prime-boost vaccination at both the polyclonal and monoclonal levels. We characterized the VDJ sequence of 118 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and found that 20 neutralizing mAbs showed varied potency and breadth against a range of variants including XBB.

Integrating Magnetic-Bead-Based Sample Extraction and Molecular Barcoding for the One-Step Pooled RT-qPCR Assay of Viral Pathogens without Retesting.

Pooling multiple samples prior to real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis has been proposed as a strategy to minimize expenses and boost test throughput during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the traditional pooling approach cannot be effectively deployed in high-prevalence settings due to the need for secondary tests in the case of a positive pool. In this study, we present a pooling test platform with high adaptability and simplicity that allows sample-specific detection of multiple-tagged samples in a single run without the need for retesting.

Efficient large-scale screening of viral pathogens by fragment length identification of pooled nucleic acid samples (FLIPNAS).

The necessity for the large-scale screening of viral pathogens has been amply demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid pooled testing, such as Dorfman-based group testing, was widely adopted in response to the sudden increased demand for detection. However, the current approach still necessitates the individual retesting of positive pools.

Identification of a Novel Interferon Lambda Splice Variant in Chickens.

Type III interferons (IFNLs) have critical roles in the host's innate immune system, also serving as the first line against pathogenic infections of mucosal surfaces. In mammals, several IFNLs have been reported; however, only limited data on the repertoire of IFNLs in avian species is available. Previous studies showed only one member in chicken (chIFNL3).

Visual field improvement after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma.

Purpose: To analyze and predict the possibility of visual field (VF) recovery after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) in patients with pituitary adenoma, we investigated the factors affecting the improvement of the visual field defect (VFD) and built a nomogram predictive model based on these risk factors. We further investigated specific recovery regions of VF associated with the improvement of VFD.

Methods: The clinical data of patients who underwent ETSS for pituitary adenomas at a single center between the January 2021 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.