Molecular Evolution of the () Genes in Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 2.

Human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) is a clinically significant respiratory pathogen, which highlights the necessity of studies on its molecular evolution. This study investigated the evolutionary dynamics, phylodynamics, and structural characteristics of the HPIV2 fusion () gene using a comprehensive dataset spanning multiple decades and geographic regions. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two distinct clusters of HPIV2 gene sequences, which were estimated to have diverged from a common ancestor approximately a century ago.

Phylogenomic Analyses of the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase () Gene in Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 4 Isolates in Japan.

To better understand the phylogenomics of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase () gene and HN protein in human parainfluenza virus type 4 (HPIV4), we performed phylogenomic analyses using various bioinformatics methods. The main bioinformatics analyses included a time-scaled phylogeny, genetic distance assessments, and three-dimensional (3D) structure mapping of the HN protein with conformational epitope and selective pressure analyses. The time-scaled phylogenetic tree indicated that the most recent common ancestor of the gene emerged approximately 100 years ago.

Molecular Evolutionary Analyses of the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase () Region and Gene in Sapovirus GI.1 and GI.2.

Human sapovirus (HuSaV) is a significant cause of gastroenteritis. This study aims to analyze the evolutionary dynamics of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase () and capsid () genes of the HuSaV GI.1 and GI.

Clinical study on the utility of allergy tests to detect IgE-mediated anaphylaxis after diclofenac etalhyaluronate administration.

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate factors involved in anaphylaxis related to diclofenac etalhyaluronate (DEH) [product name: Joyclu® (JCL)] (containing DEH and macrogol 400), which is used to treat patients with osteoarthritis.

Methods: Patients with osteoarthritis were divided into two groups that had (experienced patients) or had not experienced anaphylactic symptoms after JCL administration (nonexperienced patients). Five tests performed to assess factors related to anaphylaxis consisted of a skin prick test as the primary endpoint and the other tests including basophil activation test, allergen-specific IgE tests using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunochromatographic kits, and genetic study were secondary endpoints.

Lipid-orchestrated paracrine circuit coordinates mast cell maturation and anaphylaxis through functional interaction with fibroblasts.

Interaction of mast cells (MCs) with fibroblasts is essential for MC maturation within tissue microenvironments, although the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood. Through a phenotypic screening of >30 mouse lines deficient in lipid-related genes, we found that deletion of the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor LPA, like that of the phospholipase PLA2G3, the prostaglandin D (PGD) synthase L-PGDS, or the PGD receptor DP1, impairs MC maturation and thereby anaphylaxis. Mechanistically, MC-secreted PLA2G3 acts on extracellular vesicles (EVs) to supply lysophospholipids, which are converted by fibroblast-derived autotaxin (ATX) to LPA.

Clinical investigation for the mechanisms of anaphylactic symptoms in osteoarthritis patients after diclofenac etalhyaluronate administration.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms of anaphylaxis in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip after diclofenac etalhyaluronate [product name: JOYCLU® (JCL)] intra-articular injection and to determine the utility of tests to investigate the mechanism involved.

Methods: In this observational study in Japan, patients aged ≥20 years with knee or hip osteoarthritis who received JCL intra-articular injection experienced anaphylactic symptoms considered related to JCL ('experienced patients') or did not experience allergic symptoms considered related to JCL ('non-experienced patients'). Basophil activation tests (BATs), specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) or immunochromatographic kit, and genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted using patient blood and saliva.

Molecular Evolutionary Analyses of the Spike Protein Gene and Spike Protein in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants.

To better understand the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, we performed molecular evolutionary analyses of the spike () protein gene/S protein using advanced bioinformatics technologies. First, time-scaled phylogenetic analysis estimated that a common ancestor of the Wuhan, Alpha, Beta, Delta variants, and Omicron variants/subvariants diverged in May 2020. After that, a common ancestor of the Omicron variant generated various Omicron subvariants over one year.

Pathogen Profiles in Outpatients with Non-COVID-19 during the 7th Prevalent Period of COVID-19 in Gunma, Japan.

The identification of pathogens associated with respiratory symptoms other than the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be challenging. However, the diagnosis of pathogens is crucial for assessing the clinical outcome of patients. We comprehensively profiled pathogens causing non-COVID-19 respiratory symptoms during the 7th prevalent period in Gunma, Japan, using deep sequencing combined with a next-generation sequencer (NGS) and advanced bioinformatics technologies.

Molecular Evolutionary Analyses of the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase () Region and Gene in Human Norovirus Genotypes GII.P6-GII.6 and GII.P7-GII.6.

To understand the evolution of GII.P6-GII.6 and GII.

Molecular evolutionary analyses of the fusion protein gene in human respirovirus 1.

Few evolutionary studies of the human respiratory virus (HRV) have been conducted, but most of them have focused on HRV3. In this study, the full-length fusion (F) genes in HRV1 strains collected from various countries were subjected to time-scaled phylogenetic, genome population size, and selective pressure analyses. Antigenicity analysis was performed on the F protein.

Molecular Evolutionary Analyses of the -Derived Cephalosporinase Gene.

Despite the increasing evidence of the clinical impact of -derived cephalosporinase (PDC) sequence polymorphisms, the molecular evolution of its encoding gene, , remains elusive. To elucidate this, we performed a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of . A Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo phylogenetic tree revealed that a common ancestor of diverged approximately 4660 years ago, leading to the formation of eight clonal variants (clusters A-H).

Order of statistical learning depends on perceptive uncertainty.

Statistical learning (SL) is an innate mechanism by which the brain automatically encodes the -th order transition probability (TP) of a sequence and grasps the uncertainty of the TP distribution. Through SL, the brain predicts a subsequent event ( ) based on the preceding events ( ) that have a length of ". It is now known that uncertainty modulates prediction in top-down processing by the human predictive brain.

Detailed Molecular Interactions between Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein and the TLR4/MD-2 Complex In Silico.

Molecular interactions between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion protein (F protein) and the cellular receptor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2) protein complex are unknown. Thus, to reveal the detailed molecular interactions between them, in silico analyses were performed using various bioinformatics techniques. The present simulation data showed that the neutralizing antibody (NT-Ab) binding sites in both prefusion and postfusion proteins at sites II and IV were involved in the interactions between them and the TLR4 molecule.

Mobilization of progenitor cells and vessel healing after implantation of SYNERGY in acute coronary syndrome.

This study was aimed to compare the vascular healing process of a SYNERGY stent with that of a PROMUS PREMIER stent in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In 71 patients with ACS, undergoing coronary stent implantation using the SYNERGY stent (n = 52) or PROMUS PREMIER stent (n = 19), we measured circulating CD34+/CD133+/CD45 cells and CD34+/KDR+ cells and observed vascular healing at the stented sites using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary angioscopy. On the day 7, circulating CD34+/CD133+/CD45 cells increased in SYNERGY group (P < 0.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Exhibits Antiviral Effect against SARS-CoV-2 by Inhibiting 3CLpro Activity.

The pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread despite the global efforts taken to control it. The 3C-like protease (3CLpro), the major protease of SARS-CoV-2, is one of the most interesting targets for antiviral drug development because it is highly conserved among SARS-CoVs and plays an important role in viral replication. Herein, we developed high throughput screening for SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitor based on AlphaScreen.

Perceptual uncertainty modulates auditory statistical learning: A magnetoencephalography study.

Statistical learning allows comprehension of structured information, such as that in language and music. The brain computes a sequence's transition probability and predicts future states to minimise sensory reaction and derive entropy (uncertainty) from sequential information. Neurophysiological studies have revealed that early event-related neural responses (P1 and N1) reflect statistical learning - when the brain encodes transition probability in stimulus sequences, it predicts an upcoming stimulus with a high transition probability and suppresses the early event-related responses to a stimulus with a high transition probability.

Basic 7S globulin in plants.

Soybean seed basic 7S globulin (Bg7S)-like proteins are found in many plant species. Bg7S was originally thought to be a major seed storage protein but was later found to be multifunctional, with stress response, antibacterial activity, hormone receptor-like activity. Moreover, functional differences between Bg7S proteins from legumes and other plants have been revealed.

Detailed Molecular Interactions of Favipiravir with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and Influenza Virus Polymerases In Silico.

Favipiravir was initially developed as an antiviral drug against influenza and is currently used in clinical trials against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19). This agent is presumably involved in RNA chain termination during influenza virus replication, although the molecular interactions underlying its potential impact on the coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remain unclear. We performed in silico studies to elucidate detailed molecular interactions between favipiravir and the SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp).