Identification of a novel orthonairovirus from ticks and serological survey in animals near China-North korea border.

Emerging pathogenic tick-borne viruses (TBVs) have attracted a great deal of attention due to their significant impact on human and animal health. A novel orthonairovirus named Dadong virus (DDV) was isolated from Haemaphysalis concinna ticks in the Changbai Mountain region on the China-North Korea border. DDV can induce cytopathic effects in mammalian and human cell lines. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it belongs to the genus Orthonairovirus, family Nairoviridae, exhibiting 72.4%-81.3% nucleic acid identity to Tofla orthonairovirus, known to cause lethal infection in IFNAR KO mice. The first serological evidence of DDV circulating in cattle and mice was also obtained, with 4.0% (1/25) of cattle and 2.27% (1/44) of mice seropositive for DDV. Further investigations, including serological surveys using human samples, are required to assess the public health risk posed by DDV.

Prevalence and diversity of imported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants in China, 2021-2022.

The causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread accumulatively to 240 countries and continues to evolve. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological characteristics of imported variants in China and their correlation with global circulating variants, genomic surveillance data from 11 139 imported COVID-19 cases submitted by Chinese provincial CDC laboratories between 2021 and 2022 were analyzed. Consensus sequences underwent rigorous quality checks, followed by amino acid mutations analysis using Nextclade. Sequences with satisfactory quality control status were classified according to the Pango nomenclature. The results showed that the dominant variants in imported cases reflected the global epidemic trend. An increase in the number of imported SARS-CoV-2 lineages monitored in China in the second half of 2022, and the circulating Omicron subvariants changed from the ancestral lineages of BA.5 and BA.2 into the lineages containing key amino acid mutations of spike protein. There was significant variation in the detection of Omicron subvariants among continents (χ2 = 321.968, p < 0.001) in the second half of 2022, with four lineages (BA.2.3.7, BA.2.2, BA.5.2.7, and XBB.1.2) identified through imported surveillance mainly prevalent respectively in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong SAR, China, Russian Federation, and Singapore. These findings revealed the alterations in circulating imported variants from 2021 to 2022 in China, reflecting the higher diversity of lineages in the second half of 2022, and revealed the predominant lineages of countries or regions that are in close contacts to China, providing new insights into the global prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.

Development of a nomogram based on the clinicopathological and CT features to predict the survival of primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram by combining chest computed tomography (CT) images and clinicopathological predictors to assess the survival outcomes of patients with primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma (PLEC). METHODS: 113 patients with stage I-IV primary PLEC who underwent treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the independent prognostic factors associated with patient's disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Based on results from multivariate Cox regression analysis, the nomograms were constructed with pre-treatment CT features and clinicopathological information, which were then assessed with respect to calibration, discrimination and clinical usefulness. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed the independent prognostic factors for DFS were surgery resection and hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and that for CSS were age, smoking status, surgery resection, tumor site in lobe and necrosis. The concordance index (C­index) of nomogram for DFS and CSS were 0.777 (95% CI: 0.703-0.851) and 0.904 (95% CI: 0.847-0.961), respectively. The results of the time­dependent C­index were internally validated using a bootstrap resampling method for DFS and CSS also showed that the nomograms had a better discriminative ability. CONCLUSIONS: We developed nomograms based on clinicopathological and CT factors showing a good performance in predicting individual DFS and CSS probability among primary PLEC patients. This prognostic tool may be valuable for clinicians to more accurately drive treatment decisions and individualized survival assessment.

Novel Orthonairovirus Isolated from Ticks near China-North Korea Border.

We isolated a new orthonairovirus from Dermacentor silvarum ticks near the China-North Korea border. Phylogenetic analysis showed 71.9%-73.0% nucleic acid identity to the recently discovered Songling orthonairovirus, which causes febrile illness in humans. We recommend enhanced surveillance for infection by this new virus among humans and livestock.

Clinicopathological features and survival of rare primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma: A cohort from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma (PLEC) is a rare subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of resected primary PLEC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 95 consecutive patients with primary PLEC, who received radical surgical resection treatment, were examined from October 2009 to January 2022. The clinicopathological features and their association with survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Primary PLEC predominated in relatively younger patients and nonsmokers, who lacked driver mutations and were always positive for immunohistochemical markers of the squamous cell lineage. Further, 21.1% of patients had abnormally elevated preoperative serum marker fragments of cytokeratin 19 (Cyfra21-1). The median follow-up time was 43.5 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 96.5%, 81.8%, and 64.3%, respectively. The median RFS time was not reached. Cox univariate survival analysis showed that patients with positive lymph nodes had significantly worse RFS than those with negative ones (p = 0.017). The patients with open surgery experienced significantly worse RFS than those with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (p = 0.038). The multivariate survival analysis confirmed that only lymph node involvement (hazard ratio: 2.769; 95% confidence interval: 1.171-6.548, p = 0.020) was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Primary PLEC is a rare type of lung cancer with a favorable outcome, more common in young and nonsmoking Asian populations. Driver gene mutations are rare. Regional lymph node metastasis is an independent prognostic factor for RFS after radical surgical resection.

A Modified Suture Technique to Improve Scar Appearance in Wounds Under High Tension.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to introduce a modified suture technique and to compare its effects on skin scar formation with 2 traditional suture methods: simple interrupted suture (SIS) and vertical mattress suture (VMS). Three groups of healthy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected (6 replicates in each group), and the full-thickness skin of 5 cm × 0.2 cm was cut off on the back of the rats after anesthesia. The wounds were then sutured using 1 of the 3 methods for each group: SIS, VMS, and a newly introduced modified vertical mattress suture (M-VMS) technique with the needle reinsertion at the exit point. A traction device was installed on the back of the rats to achieve high tension wounds. The tensile distance was increased by 1 mm every day for 20 days. After 20 days of healing, the hematoxylin-eosin staining method was used for observation of scar morphology. The collagen production rate was measured by Masson staining, and the type I collagen and type III collagen were detected by the immunofluorescence method. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot techniques were used to detect the expressions of transforming growth factors TGFß1, TGFß2, and TGFß3 to understand the mechanisms of scar formation. Results showed that the quantity and density of collagen fibers were both lower in the M-VMS group than in the other 2 groups. Immunofluorescence results showed that type I collagen was significantly lower, whereas type III collagen was significantly higher in the M-VMS group than in the other 2 groups. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin and TGFß1 both were lower in the M-VMS group than in the other 2 groups. The expression of TGFß2 and TGFß3 had no obvious difference among the 3 groups. For wounds under high tension, compared with SIS and VMS methods, the M-VMS technique we proposed can reduce scar formation due to the reduction of collagen formation, myofibroblast expression, and TGFß1 expression.

SARS-CoV-2 cold-chain transmission: Characteristics, risks, and strategies.

Low temperature and certain humidity are conducive to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for long-time survival and long-distance spread during logistics and trades. Contaminated cold-chain or frozen products and outer packaging act as the carrier of SARS-CoV-2, that infects the high-risk population who works in the ports, cold storage or seafood market. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide, multiple localized outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2 contaminated imported cold-chain products have been reported in China, which brought challenges to COVID-19 prevention and control. Here, we review the evidences of SARS-CoV-2 cold-chain transmission from six confirmed cold-chain related COVID-19 outbreaks in China, especially in terms of SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing and virus isolation. In addition, we summarize the characteristics and mode of SARS-CoV-2 cold-chain transmission from both six COVID-19 outbreaks in China and the outbreaks suspected cold-chain transmission in other countries. Finally, we analyze the underlying risks of SARS-CoV-2 cold-chain transmission and propose the preventive countermeasures.

The dynamic changes and sex differences of 147 immune-related proteins during acute COVID-19 in 580 individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Severe COVID-19 leads to important changes in circulating immune-related proteins. To date it has been difficult to understand their temporal relationship and identify cytokines that are drivers of severe COVID-19 outcomes and underlie differences in outcomes between sexes. Here, we measured 147 immune-related proteins during acute COVID-19 to investigate these questions. METHODS: We measured circulating protein abundances using the SOMAscan nucleic acid aptamer panel in two large independent hospital-based COVID-19 cohorts in Canada and the United States. We fit generalized additive models with cubic splines from the start of symptom onset to identify protein levels over the first 14 days of infection which were different between severe cases and controls, adjusting for age and sex. Severe cases were defined as individuals with COVID-19 requiring invasive or non-invasive mechanical respiratory support. RESULTS: 580 individuals were included in the analysis. Mean subject age was 64.3 (sd 18.1), and 47% were male. Of the 147 proteins, 69 showed a significant difference between cases and controls (p < 3.4 × 10-4). Three clusters were formed by 108 highly correlated proteins that replicated in both cohorts, making it difficult to determine which proteins have a true causal effect on severe COVID-19. Six proteins showed sex differences in levels over time, of which 3 were also associated with severe COVID-19: CCL26, IL1RL2, and IL3RA, providing insights to better understand the marked differences in outcomes by sex. CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 is associated with large changes in 69 immune-related proteins. Further, five proteins were associated with sex differences in outcomes. These results provide direct insights into immune-related proteins that are strongly influenced by severe COVID-19 infection.

Can visceral adipose tissue and skeletal muscle predict recurrence of newly diagnosed Crohn's disease in different treatments.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is crucial to manage the recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD). This study is aimed to explore whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and skeletal muscle (SM) are associated with the recurrence of CD upon different treatments. METHODS: All patients with a definite diagnosis of CD were retrospectively divided into three groups according to distinct treatment regimens: 5-amino salicylic acid group (Group A), steroids + azathioprine (Group B) and biologics (Group C). The pretreatment computerized tomography (CT) images and clinical data were collected. The VAT area, mesenteric fat index (MFI), the ratio of VAT area to fat mass (VAT area/FM) were assessed. The primary end point was the recurrence of CD within 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 171 CD patients were enrolled, including 57 (33.33%) patients in Group A, 70 (40.94%) patients in Group B and 44 (25.73%) patients in Group C. Patients with 1-year recurrence had higher MFI (P = 0.011) and VAT area/FM (P = 0.000). ROC curve demonstrated that patients with the ratio of VAT area/FM and MFI higher than 0.578 and 1.394 tended to have recurrence with the AUC of 0.707 and 0.709. Similar results could be observed in Group A & B but not in Group C. CONCLUSIONS: High VAT area/FM and MFI are related to recurrence within 1 year for newly diagnosed CD patients treated by 5-amino salicylic or azathioprine + steroids rather than biologics. We could not observe any radiological data associated with the recurrence of CD patients under biological treatment.

Characterization of metabolites and biomarkers for the probiotic effects of Clostridium cochlearium on high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice.

PURPOSE: Probiotic species of butyrate producers have been investigated for the potential in preventing and treating obesity and overweight. However, Clostridium cochlearium has not been linked with any health benefits. We hypothesized that C. cochlearium could be a promising new probiotic with health benefits in improving body weight control and insulin sensitivity. METHODS: Productions of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were characterized for C. cochlearium by NMR and GC-MS analyses. Probiotic effects of C. cochlearium were evaluated through diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mice. The influence of C. cochlearium administration on gut SCFAs was measured using GC-MS. LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomic profiling and multivariate analysis were used to assess the serum metabolic alteration, identify biomarkers and pathways in response to the C. cochlearium administration. RESULTS: After 17 weeks of diet intervention, body weight gain of CC group (fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with C. cochlearium) showed a 21.86% reduction from the high-fat diet (HF) control group (P < 0.001), which was specifically reflected on the significantly lowered fat mass (CC vs HF, 17.19 g vs 22.86 g, P < 0.0001) and fat percentage (CC vs HF, 41.25% vs 47.10%, P < 0.0001), and increased lean percentage (CC vs HF, 46.63% vs 43.72%, P < 0.05). C. cochlearium administration significantly reduced fasting blood glucose from week 8 (P < 0.05 or 0.01), and eventually improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, CC vs HF, 63.77 vs 143.13, P < 0.05). Overall lowered levels of SCFAs were observed in the gut content of CC group. Metabolomic analysis enabled the identification of 53 discriminatory metabolites and 24 altered pathways between CC and HF groups. In particularly, most of the pathway-matched metabolites showed positive correlations with body weight, which included glutamate, phenylalanine, ornithine, PCs, LPCs, AcCas, proline, 5,6-dihydrouracil, pyroglutamic acid, and 1-pyrroline-4-hydroxy-2-carboxylate. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effects of C. cochlearium could be related to its ability to restore certain obesity-driven biomarkers and pathways, especially downregulating pathways related to specific amino acids, PCs, LPCs and AcCas. Further research is warranted to investigate related metabolites and metabolic pathways. C. cochlearium may be developed as a promising new probiotic for the prevention or alleviation of obesity and diabetes in human.

SNAT2/SLC38A2 Confers the Stemness of Gastric Cancer Cells via Regulating Glutamine Level.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine (Gln) is essential for cancer progression, however, few studies have been conducted to investigate the roles of Gln transporters in gastric cancer stem cells (CSCs). AIMS: This work aims to explore the roles of Gln transporters in gastric cancer cell stemness. METHODS: We collected spheres formed by gastric cancer (GC) cells through a 3-dimensional (3D) semisolid culture system which has been shown to hold CSC-like traits. Lentivirus package was used to construct GC cells with SNAT2 overexpression. Analysis of sphere-formation, stemness marker expression, ALDH activity were used to detect the effects of Gln transporters on GC cell stemness. Determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Gln consumption combined with the methods analyzing cell stemness were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Gln consumption was upregulated in GC spheres compared to the parental GC cells. The Gln transporter SNAT2 was highly expressed in GC spheres compared to that in the parental GC cells. SNAT2 overexpression significantly increased the Gln consumption in GC cells and increased the expression of stemness markers, sphere-formation ability and ALDH activity. Notably, SNAT2-mediated promoting effects on GC cell stemness were rescued by Gln deprivation. What's more, high expression of SNAT2 was associated with a poor GC patient survival through different online datasets. CONCLUSIONS: SNAT2 can promote the stemness of GC cells in a Gln-dependent manner.

Cooperation Between Distinct Cancer Driver Genes Underlies Intertumor Heterogeneity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The pattern of genetic alterations in cancer driver genes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly diverse, which partially explains the low efficacy of available therapies. In spite of this, the existing mouse models only recapitulate a small portion of HCC inter-tumor heterogeneity, limiting the understanding of the disease and the nomination of personalized therapies. Here, we aimed at establishing a novel collection of HCC mouse models that captured human HCC diversity. METHODS: By performing hydrodynamic tail-vein injections, we tested the impact of altering a well-established HCC oncogene (either MYC or ß-catenin) in combination with an additional alteration in one of eleven other genes frequently mutated in HCC. Of the 23 unique pairs of genetic alterations that we interrogated, 9 were able to induce HCC. The established HCC mouse models were characterized at histopathological, immune, and transcriptomic level to identify the unique features of each model. Murine HCC cell lines were generated from each tumor model, characterized transcriptionally, and used to identify specific therapies that were validated in vivo. RESULTS: Cooperation between pairs of driver genes produced HCCs with diverse histopathology, immune microenvironments, transcriptomes, and drug responses. Interestingly, MYC expression levels strongly influenced ß-catenin activity, indicating that inter-tumor heterogeneity emerges not only from specific combinations of genetic alterations but also from the acquisition of expression-dependent phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This novel collection of murine HCC models and corresponding cell lines establishes the role of driver genes in diverse contexts and enables mechanistic and translational studies.

Comparison between modified wet suction and dry suction technique for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy in pancreatic solid lesions.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy is widely applied, there is no clear consensus on the optimal biopsy technique. We described a modified wet suction technique (MWEST) with the aim to compare the efficacy and safety between MWEST and the dry suction technique (DST). METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, crossover, single-blinded study, patients with suspected pancreatic malignancy were randomized to the DST (group A) or MWEST (group B) for the first pass, and the two techniques were performed alternately. The primary outcome was the comparison of specimen adequacy and diagnostic yield between the techniques. Secondary outcomes included the macroscopic visible core length, blood contamination of specimens, and adverse events of both techniques. RESULTS: From January 2019 to September 2019, 216 passes were performed in 50 patients. The specimen adequacy was significantly higher in "per-lesion" (P = 0.026), "per-pass" (cytology: P = 0.034; histology: P = 0.042), and first-pass analysis (P = 0.034) for MWEST than for DST. In diagnostic yield, MWEST showed significantly superior histological yield (P = 0.014) and first-pass analysis (κ: MWEST: 0.743 and DST: 0.519) compared with DST. The median macroscopic visible core lengths were 8 mm (interquartile range: 3.25-15 mm) and 10 mm (interquartile range: 5.25-15 mm) for DST and MWEST, respectively (P = 0.036). Blood contamination was significantly more serious in DST than in MWEST (cytology: P = 0.021; histology: P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy with MWEST resulted in significantly better quality of specimen, histological, and first-pass diagnostic yields and comparable safety compared with the DST. MWEST is preferred for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy in pancreatic solid lesions.

Correlation Between Sleep, Life, Mood, and Diet and Severity of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in China: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and quality of sleep, quality of life (QoL), mental health, and dietary intake to identify potential risk factors for IBD. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective analysis from September 2019 to August 2020. We enrolled 71 patients with IBD aged 14 to 69 years who completed the IBD-Life Habits Questionnaire, which included data on demographics, environmental factors, and dietary habits; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Of the patients, 46 had IBD that was in remission and in 25 the disease was active, based on scores used to assess clinical symptoms. The Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Partial Mayo Score were used for Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), respectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups, based on disease status: remission (CDAI <150 or Mayo Score=0) and active (CDAI ≥150 or Mayo Score >0). Because sleep and dietary habits in the patients with UC and CD were not significantly different, the 2 groups of patients were eventually combined into a single IBD group. The IBD-Life Habits Questionnaire, except for IBDQ, was completed by 68 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS Scores for PSQI (P=.001), PHQ-9 (P=.003), GAD-7 (P=.007), and IBDQ (P=.001) were significantly higher in the patients with active IBD. An IBDQ score >168.0 (PSQI score >7.5) indicates a clinically active state of IBD with a sensitivity of 84.8% (72.0%) and a specificity of 88.0% (82.6%). Diet composition was not related to disease activity. An analysis of patients and controls showed that lack of siblings could be a protective factor for onset of IBD (OR 0.300, 95% CI 0.119-0.785), while not being breastfed (OR 2.753, 95% CI 1.025-7.396) and consuming spicy foods could be risk factors for onset of IBD (OR 2.186, 95% CI 1.370-3.488). CONCLUSIONS In patients with IBD, poor sleep quality, poor QoL, depression, and anxiety were related to having active disease, whereas diet was not. Attempting to control dietary composition in patients with IBD may not be effective in preventing disease flare, but attention should be paid to intake of spicy foods.

[Expression of Complement Factor H in Human Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression and secretion of alternative complement pathway regulator complement factor H (CFH) in spontaneously produced or induced human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (hESC-RPE). METHODS: RPE cells were acquired by spontaneous differentiation from hESC (sdRPE), a source of hESC-RPE, according to the method used in clinical trials. RPE cells were also acquired under the induction of growth factors and small molecules for 14 d (iRPE). Acquired cells were kept culturing for 3 month for maturation. All differentiated cells（P3）were cultivated for 4-5 weeks prior to characterization with qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. Secretion levels of CFH were investigated by ELISA. ARPE-19 cell line was served as control. RESULTS: Both sdRPE and iRPE showed high similarity in cell morphology and the pattern of specific gene expression with human RPE. The relative CFH mRNA expression levels of both sdRPE and iRPE were significantly higher than that of ARPE-19 ( P<0.05). The CFH secretion levels of sdRPE in the 24 h-, 48 h- and 72 h-culture medium were higher than those of iRPE ( P=0.000 2); and this CFH secretion levels of both sdRPE and iRPE were higher than that of the ARPE-19 cell line ( P<0.000 1). CONCLUSION: Both sdRPE and iRPE derived by different differentiation methods expressed and secreted CFH, suggesting that hESC-RPE may have certain ability to regulate the alternative complement pathway.

The critical role of RasGRP4 in the growth of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to confirm that blocking RasGRP4 can effectively slow down the growth of DLBCL both in vitro and in vivo and ascertain the role of RasGRP4 in the prognosis of DLBCL clinically. METHODS: RasGRP4 expression levels were examined in benign tissues and lymphomas. In order to verify somatic mutation in RasGRP4 gene, cDNA sequencing was performed in DLBCL patients. RasGRP4-dependent cell proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative stress levels and signaling pathway changes were measured by knockdown of RasGRP4. Tumor growth was monitored in xenografted lymphoma model. Clinical data were collected to confirm the role of RasGRP4 in DLBCL. RESULTS: RasGRP4 expression was significantly elevated in DLBCL while no somatic mutations were detected of this gene in DLBCL patients. Decreased RasGRP4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation by simultaneously reducing mitosis and promoting apoptosis and increased the oxidative stress levels. Mechanistically, reduced expression of RasGRP4 decreased ERK while increased JNK expression in SUDHL-4 cells. Knockdown of RasGRP4 also significantly inhibited tumor formation in vivo. Furthermore, RasGRP4 expression levels were significantly higher in patients with larger DLBCL lesions (P = 0.0004), high-risk international prognostic index score groups (P = 0.0042), and its expression was positively correlated with maximum standardized uptake value in DLBCL (P = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the oncogenic role of RasGRP4 in DLBCL, suggesting it as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in DLBCL.

Magnetic proximity effect induced spin-dependent electronic structure in two-dimensional SnO by half-metallic monolayer CrN ferromagnet.

Monolayer SnO has been attracting much attention owing to its unique electronic structure, which has potential applications in nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices. However, it is necessary to induce the spin-dependent electronic structure of monolayer SnO for its applications in spintronics. Here, in order to induce the spin polarization of monolayer SnO by magnetic proximity effects, the spin-dependent electronic structure of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) SnO/CrN heterostructures is calculated using first-principles calculations by considering different strains and interlayer distances. When the interlayer distance of the heterostructure increases, the Sn magnetic moment decreases, but the Cr magnetic moment increases. As the interlayer distance decreases, the band gap of SnO decreases in the spin-down channel because of the enhancements in orbital overlap and hybridization. Meanwhile, the electronic structure of monolayer SnO/CrN heterostructures can also be tailored by in-plane biaxial strain. With an increase in tensile strain, the Fermi level of monolayer SnO moves down and p-type doping appears. For compressive strains, the Fermi level of monolayer SnO moves upward and n-type doping appears. When the in-plane biaxial strain turns from compressive to tensile, the magnetic anisotropy of CrN in monolayer SnO/CrN heterostructure increases, where the easy axis is perpendicular to the CrN layer.

Outline of the biosynthesis and regulation of ergosterol in yeast.

Sterols are crucial functional components for eukaryotic cell membrane. Due to versatile activities, sterols show wide applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Ergosterol not only reflects cell growth but also serves as the precursor for manufacturing steroid drugs. To date, the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in yeast has been reported, and the industrial production of ergosterol is achieved by yeast fermentation or extraction from fungal mycelia. Here, we summarize its biosynthesis, regulation, transportation, and subcellular location of enzymes in yeast. In particular, we review the regulation of ergosterol biosynthesis at transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. Furthermore, we advocate metabolic engineering and fermentation strategies for high-level production of ergosterol. This study may provide evaluable insights into metabolic engineering of yeast for scaled-up fermentation production of ergosterol or beyond.

TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Detecting and Differentiating Japanese Encephalitis Virus.

OBJECTIVE: To detect Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) rapidly and distinguish its genotypes, a TaqMan-based reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection system was developed. METHODS: By aligning the full-length sequences of JEV (G1-G5), six sets of highly specific TaqMan real-time RT-PCR primers and probes were designed based on the highly conserved NS1, NS2, and M genes of JEV, which included one set for non-specific JEV detection and five sets for the detection of specific JEV genotypes. Twenty batches of mosquito samples were used to evaluate our quantitative PCR assay. RESULTS: With the specific assay, no other flavivirus were detected. The lower limits of detection of the system were 1 pfu/mL for JEV titers and 100 RNA copies/µL. The coefficients of variation of this real-time RT-PCR were all < 2.8%. The amplification efficiency of this method was between 90% and 103%. CONCLUSION: A TaqMan real-time RT-PCR detection system was successfully established to detect and differentiate all five JEV genotypes.