Bovine DDX3X Restrains Bovine SP110c-Mediated Activation of Inflammasome in Macrophages.

The inflammasome is a vital part of the host's innate immunity activated by cellular infection or stress. Our previous research identified the bovine SP110c isoform (bSP110c) as a novel activator of the inflammasome that promoted the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18 in macrophages infected with Listeria monocytogenes or stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the exact molecular mechanism for inhibiting bSP110c-induced inflammasome activation requires further clarification. Here, the researchers identified bovine DDX3X (bDDX3X) as an NLRP3-associated protein and an inhibitor of the bSP110c-induced inflammasome in the human THP1 macrophage cell line. Immunoprecipitation showed that bDDX3X interacted with the bSP110c CARD domain via its helicase domain. The co-expression of bSP110c and bDDX3X in THP1 macrophages significantly prevented the bSP110c-induced activation of inflammasomes. In addition, both bDDX3X and bSP110c interacted with bovine NLRP3 (bNLRP3), and bDDX3X enhanced the interaction between bSP110c and bNLRP3. The expression of bDDX3X in nigericin-stimulated THP1 macrophages significantly suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ASC speck formation, and pyroptosis. These findings demonstrate that bDDX3X negatively regulates the bSP110c-mediated inflammatory response by restricting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. This discovery unveils a novel regulatory mechanism involving bDDX3X and bSP110c in coordinating inflammasome activation and subsequent cell-fate decisions in LPS-treated macrophages and, in turn, constitutes a step forward toward the implementation of marker-assisted selection in breeding programs aimed at utilizing cattle's immune defenses.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A four-wave longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress symptoms of healthcare workers have become a significant public concern in the healthcare system that have long COVID-19. It is less known how the pandemic impacts the HCWs' PTSS longitudinally and long-term risk factors for it. METHODS: Four consecutive surveys were conducted among healthcare workers in China from 2019 to 2023 COVID-19 outbreaks. Multilevel mixed-effect models were used to examine longitudinal changes and risk factors. Network analysis was utilized to explore network centrality changes in PTSS symptoms. RESULTS: HCWs' PTSS symptoms were increased over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being female, being nurse, working in the emergency department, working longer hours, less frequently going back home and having COVID-19 infection are risk factors of PTSS for HCWs; unmarried is the protective factor. Significant interaction between symptom changes and profession exists. PTSS networks showed that Avoidance of thoughts, Emotional-cue activity, Exaggerated startle response and Hypervigilance were the central symptoms during four waves. The global strength of the PTSS network grows over time, and nodal strength of Avoidance of thoughts, Loss of interest and Negative beliefs increased by COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The pandemic's impacts on healthcare workers vary by professions. PTSS symptoms exacerbate, reinforce each other, and persists with recurring waves.

Corrigendum: Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in the First-Line Medical Staff Fighting Against COVID-19 in Gansu.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00386.].

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in the First-Line Medical Staff Fighting Against COVID-19 in Gansu.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) has brought enormous physical and psychological pressure on Chinese medical staff. It is extremely important to understand the prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in first-line anti-epidemic medical staff and their coping styles for these negative emotions. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Gansu (China), with a questionnaire packet which consisted of the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and the simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ). A total of 79 doctors and 86 nurses participated in the survey. Correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between SAS, SDS, and SCSQ score. A linear regression model was used to determine the influencing factors for anxiety or depression symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression symptoms among doctors was 11.4% and 45.6%, respectively. History of depression or anxiety (T=-2.644, p= 0.010, 95%CI: -10.514~-1.481) was shown to be a risk factor for anxiety symptoms in doctors, while being male (T=2.970, p=0.004, 95%CI: 2.667~13.521) was a protective factor for depression. The prevalence rate of anxiety and depression symptoms among nurses was 27.9% and 43.0%, respectively. History of depression or anxiety was a common risk factor for anxiety symptoms (T=-3.635, p=0.000, 95%CI: -16.360~-4.789) and depression symptoms (T=-2.835, p=0.005, 95%CI:-18.238~-3.254) in nurses. The results of partial correlation analysis (controlled for gender and history of depression or anxiety) indicated that the total score of positive coping was negatively correlated with the total score of anxiety (r=-0.182, p=0.002) and depression (r=-0.253, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The first-line anti-epidemic medical staff have high anxiety and depression symptoms and adopting positive coping styles will help to improve their negative emotions.