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1.
Anal Chem ; 96(11): 4495-4504, 2024 Mar 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38445954

ABSTRACT

The molecular detection of multiple respiratory viruses provides evidence for the rational use of drugs and effective health management. Herein, we developed and tested the clinical performance of an electrohydrodynamic-driven nanobox-on-mirror platform (E-NoM) for the parallel, accurate, and sensitive detection of four respiratory viral antigens. The E-NoM platform uses gold-silver alloy nanoboxes as the core material with the deposition of a silver layer as a shell on the core surfaces to amplify and enable a reproducible Raman signal readout that facilitates accurate detection. Additionally, the E-NoM platform employs gold microelectrode arrays as the mirror with electrohydrodynamics to manipulate the fluid flow and enhance molecular interactions for an improved biosensing response. The presence of viral antigens binds the nanobox-based core-shell nanostructure on the gold microelectrode and creates the nanocavity with extremely strong "hot spots" to benefit sensitive analysis. Significantly, in a large clinical cohort with 227 patients, the designed E-NoM platform demonstrates the capability of screening respiratory infection with achieved clinical specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of 100.0, 96.48, and 96.91%, respectively. It is anticipated that the E-NoM platform can find a position in clinical usage for respiratory disease diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques , Metal Nanoparticles , Viruses , Humans , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Silver/chemistry , Gold/chemistry , Antigens, Viral , Spectrum Analysis, Raman
2.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl ; 63(15): e202319966, 2024 Apr 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38327168

ABSTRACT

Albeit sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has achieved encouraging progress in microbial sterilization, the scarcity of guidelines for designing highly effective sonosensitizers and the intricate biofilm microenvironment (BME), substantially hamper the therapeutic efficacy against biofilm infections. To address the bottlenecks, we innovatively design a Ru(II) metallacycle-based sonosensitizer/sonocatalyst (named Ru-A3-TTD) to enhance the potency of sonotherapy by employing molecular engineering strategies tailored to BME. Our approach involves augmenting Ru-A3-TTD's production of ultrasonic-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS), surpassing the performance of commercial sonosensitizers, through a straightforward but potent π-expansion approach. Within the BME, Ru-A3-TTD synergistically amplifies sonotherapeutic efficacy via triple-modulated approaches: (i) effective alleviation of hypoxia, leading to increased ROS generation, (ii) disruption of the antioxidant defense system, which shields ROS from glutathione consumption, and (iii) enhanced biofilm penetration, enabling ROS production in deep sites. Notably, Ru-A3-TTD sono-catalytically oxidizes NADPH, a critical coenzyme involved in antioxidant defenses. Consequently, Ru-A3-TTD demonstrates superior biofilm eradication potency against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli compared to conventional clinical antibiotics, both in vitro and in vivo. To our knowledge, this study represents the pioneering instance of a supramolecular sonosensitizer/sonocatalyst. It provides valuable insights into the structure-activity relationship of sonosensitizers and paves a promising pathway for the treatment of biofilm infections.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Neoplasms , Humans , Reactive Oxygen Species , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms , Coenzymes , Escherichia coli , Cell Line, Tumor , Tumor Microenvironment
3.
J Med Virol ; 95(8): e28998, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37548149

ABSTRACT

Over 3 years, humans have experienced multiple rounds of global transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In addition, the widely used vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 involve multiple strategies of development and inoculation. Thus, the acquired immunity established among humans is complicated, and there is a lack of understanding within a panoramic vision. Here, we provided the special characteristics of the cellular and humoral responses in 2-year convalescents after inactivated vaccines, in parallel to vaccinated COVID-19 naïve persons and unvaccinated controls. The decreasing trends of the IgG, IgA, and NAb, but not IgM of the convalescents were reversed by the vaccination. Both cellular and humoral immunity in convalescents after vaccination were higher than the vaccinated COVID-19 naïve persons. Notably, inoculation with inactivated vaccine fueled the NAb to BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 in 2-year convalescents, much higher than the NAb during 6 months and 1 year after symptoms onset. And no obvious T cell escaping to the S protein was observed in 2-year convalescents after inoculation. The study provides insight into the complicated features of human acquired immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and variants in the real world, indicating that promoting vaccine inoculation is essential for achieving herd immunity against emerging variants, especially in convalescents.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Immunity, Humoral , Humans , COVID-19/prevention & control , Vaccines, Inactivated , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 Vaccines , Antibodies, Viral , Antibodies, Neutralizing
4.
J Immunol ; 207(2): 577-589, 2021 07 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34145061

ABSTRACT

The IL family of cytokines participates in immune response and regulation. We previously found that soluble IL-6 receptor plays an important role in the host antiviral response. In this study, we detected the IL-6-IL-27 complex in serum and throat swab samples from patients infected with influenza A virus. A plasmid expressing the IL-6-IL-27 complex was constructed to explore its biological function. The results indicated that the IL-6-IL-27 complex has a stronger antiviral effect than the individual subunits of IL-6, IL-27A, and EBV-induced gene 3. Furthermore, the activity of the IL-6-IL-27 complex is mainly mediated by the IL-27A subunit and the IL-27 receptor α. The IL-6-IL-27 complex can positively regulate virus-triggered expression of IFN and IFN-stimulated genes by interacting with adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein, potentiating the ubiquitination of TNF receptor-associated factors 3 and 6 and NF-κB nuclear translocation. The secreted IL-6-IL-27 complex can induce the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and shows antiviral activity. Our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized mechanism by which IL-6, IL-27A, and EBV-induced gene 3 form a large complex both intracellularly and extracellularly, and this complex acts in the host antiviral response.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/immunology , Immunity/immunology , Interleukin-6/immunology , Interleukins/immunology , A549 Cells , Cell Line , Cell Line, Tumor , Cytokines/immunology , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Influenza A virus/immunology , Interferons/immunology , NF-kappa B/immunology , Phosphorylation/immunology , STAT1 Transcription Factor/immunology , STAT3 Transcription Factor/immunology , Signal Transduction/immunology
5.
Clin Infect Dis ; 75(1): e1072-e1081, 2022 08 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34609506

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The longitudinal antigen-specific immunity in COVID-19 convalescents is crucial for long-term protection upon individual re-exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and even more pivotal for ultimately achieving population-level immunity. We conducted this cohort study to better understand the features of immune memory in individuals with different disease severities at 1 year post-disease onset. METHODS: We conducted a systematic antigen-specific immune evaluation in 101 COVID-19 convalescents, who had asymptomatic, mild, moderate, or severe disease, through 2 visits at months 6 and 12 after disease onset. The SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, comprising neutralizing antibody (NAb), immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and IgM, were assessed by mutually corroborated assays (ie, neutralization, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], and microparticle chemiluminescence immunoassay [MCLIA]). Meanwhile, T-cell memory against SARS-CoV-2 spike, membrane, and nucleocapsid proteins was tested through enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot), intracellular cytokine staining, and tetramer staining-based flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies, and NAb, can persist among >95% of COVID-19 convalescents from 6 to 12 months after disease onset. At least 19/71 (26%) of COVID-19 convalescents (double positive in ELISA and MCLIA) had detectable circulating IgM antibody against SARS-CoV-2 at 12 months post-disease onset. Notably, numbers of convalescents with positive SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses (≥1 of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen S1, S2, M, and N proteins) were 71/76 (93%) and 67/73 (92%) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Furthermore, both antibody and T-cell memory levels in the convalescents were positively associated with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular and humoral immunities are durable at least until 1 year after disease onset.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , Cohort Studies , Humans , Immunity, Humoral , Immunoglobulin G , SARS-CoV-2
6.
J Virol ; 93(2)2019 01 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30404796

ABSTRACT

Viruses have adopted diverse strategies to suppress antiviral responses. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a virus that is prevalent worldwide, manipulates the host's innate immune system to evade scavenging. It is reported that the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) can interfere with NF-κB activity, which then leads to high viral loads, while HBV with the G1896A mutation remains infectious without the production of HBeAg but can induce more severe proinflammatory response and liver damage. The aim of current work was to study the molecular mechanism by which HBeAg suppresses interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-stimulated NF-κB activity, which leads to the suppression of the innate immune responses to HBV infection. Our study revealed that HBeAg could interact with NEMO, a regulatory subunit associated with IκB kinase, which regulates the activation of NF-κB. HBeAg suppressed the IL-1ß-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-dependent K63-linked ubiquitination of NEMO, thereby downregulating NF-κB activity and promoting virus replication. We further demonstrated the inhibitory effect of HBeAg on the NF-κB signaling pathway using primary human hepatocytes, HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, and clinical liver samples. Our study reveals a molecular mechanism whereby HBeAg suppresses IL-1ß-induced NF-κB activation by decreasing the TRAF6-dependent K63-linked ubiquitination of NEMO, which may thereby enhance HBV replication and promote a persistent infection.IMPORTANCE The role of HBeAg in inflammatory responses during the infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is not fully understood, and several previous reports with regard to the NF-κB pathway are controversial. In this study, we showed that HBeAg could suppress both Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)- and IL-1ß-induced activation of NF-κB in cells and clinical samples, and we further revealed novel molecular mechanisms. We found that HBeAg can associate with NEMO, the regulatory subunit for IκB kinase (IKK) that controls the NF-κB signaling pathway, and thereby inhibits TRAF6-mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of NEMO, resulting in downregulation of NF-κB activity and promotion of virus replication. In contrast, the HBeAg-negative HBV mutant can induce higher levels of NF-κB activity. These results are important for understanding the HBV-induced pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis and indicate that different clinical measures should be considered to treat HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative infections. Our findings represent a conceptual advance in HBV-related suppression of NF-κB signaling.


Subject(s)
Hepatitis B e Antigens/metabolism , Hepatitis B virus/metabolism , Hepatitis B/immunology , I-kappa B Kinase/metabolism , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Adult , Female , HEK293 Cells , HeLa Cells , Hep G2 Cells , Hepatitis B/virology , Hepatitis B virus/immunology , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , I-kappa B Kinase/chemistry , Immunity, Innate , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Lysine/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Signal Transduction , TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6/metabolism , Two-Hybrid System Techniques , Ubiquitination
7.
Arch Virol ; 163(12): 3243-3254, 2018 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30136250

ABSTRACT

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). Hubei Province is a major epidemic area for SFTS in China. In this study, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and serological testing (IgM) were used simultaneously for laboratory detection of SFTS; however, testing results showed poor consistency between these two methods. Further analysis revealed that time post-onset was the main factor leading to inconsistent results. Thus, qRT-PCR is unable to detect all SFTS cases, and serological testing is essential. Here, 15 strains of SFTSV were successfully isolated from serum samples of acute SFTSV infection and their complete genomes were sequenced and submitted to GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 15 SFTS virus strains clustered into four independent genotypes (A, B, D, and E), demonstrating that at least four genotypes of SFTSV have been co-circulating in Hubei Province. Furthermore, four strains of our isolates (HB2014-31, HB2014-35, HB2014-36, and HB2014-37) clustered in genotype E, which was the predominant genotype in Japan and South Korea. In this study, we identified multiple co-prevalent genotypes and confirmed the existence of genotype E viruses circulating in the Dabie Mountains of Hubei, central China. We concluded that SFTSV strains from Hubei exhibit most of the genetic diversity found in China.


Subject(s)
Bunyaviridae Infections/virology , Phlebovirus/genetics , Phlebovirus/isolation & purification , Phylogeny , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bunyaviridae Infections/blood , Bunyaviridae Infections/epidemiology , Child , China/epidemiology , Female , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phlebovirus/classification , Phlebovirus/physiology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Serologic Tests , Young Adult
8.
J Sep Sci ; 41(17): 3411-3414, 2018 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30015411

ABSTRACT

We report a simple and automated headspace gas chromatographic technique for the determination of the softening point of rosin. A lumpy solid of rosin is added into a headspace vial, then an automated stepwise temperature ramping and headspace sampling was performed at each temperature stage and gas chromatography measurement. By plotting the gas chromatography signal for an impurity in rosin versus the temperature, a transition point (corresponding to the rosin softening point) was determined. The results show that the present method has a good precision (<0.76%), and good accuracy (the relative differences compared to the ring and ball method was <4.0%). The present method is simple, accurate, and automated. It is practical and suitable for testing the softening of rosin and derivatives in mills.


Subject(s)
Automation , Resins, Plant/analysis , Chromatography, Gas
9.
J Asian Nat Prod Res ; 18(12): 1115-1121, 2016 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27314454

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical investigations on the ethanol extract of the twigs of Garcinia tetralata resulted in the isolation of three new biphenyls, tetralatabiphenyls A-C (1-3), along with three known biphenyl derivatives (4-6). Structural elucidations of 1-3 were performed by spectroscopic methods such as 1D and 2D NMR spectra, in addition to high-resolution mass spectra. Compounds 1-6 were also evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compound 3 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 31.1%. Compounds 1, 2, and 4-6 also showed modest anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 18.9-24.5%, respectively.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/isolation & purification , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Biphenyl Compounds/isolation & purification , Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology , Garcinia/chemistry , Tobacco Mosaic Virus/drug effects , Antiviral Agents/chemistry , Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular , Plant Stems/chemistry
10.
Virol J ; 11: 142, 2014 Aug 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25107552

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an important human respiratory pathogen, particularly of infants and older adults, and despite several decades of research and development, no licensed vaccine is available. Studies have confirmed that enhancement of RSV disease does not occur after inoculation with RSV live-attenuated vaccine candidates, making such vaccines preferable. In this paper, reverse genetics was used to construct two recombinant viruses, a recombinant Long strain (rLong) and rLong-∆G-EGFP; rLong-∆G-EGFP is a recombinant mutant in which G was replaced with the EGFP gene, based on the Long strain of RSV. RESULTS: Both rLong and rLong-∆G-EGFP were constructed successfully and recovered in Hep-2 cells, and autofluorescence was observed in rLong-∆G-EGFP-infected cells during consecutive passages. Titers of rLong and rLong-∆G-EGFP were ~100-fold lower than the parental strain. Although virulence was attenuated, high titers of neutralizing antibodies were induced in BALB/c mice after being inoculated with recombinant viruses in a three-dose schedule. Unexpectedly, the neutralizing antibody titer in rLong-∆G-EGFP-immunized recipients did not decline significantly compared with the rLong strain. Protective efficacy of recombinant viruses in lung tissue was up to 100%, and the serum neutralizing antibody levels could stabilize at 21 days with no significant fall post-challenge. Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays showed that both recombinant viruses were capable of inducing CD8+ T cell immune responses, which are crucial for virus clearance, and that rLong stimulated a higher level of IFN-γ production by comparison. In terms of inducing a balanced immune response, rLong-∆G-EGFP elicited slightly higher levels of IgG2a antibodies and lower levels of IgG1/IgG2a than the rLong virus. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that immunization with rLong and rLong-∆G-EGFP were immunogenic and protected against RSV infection in the lower respiratory tract of BALB/c mice better than in the nose. Because of a relative low IgG1/IgG2a ratio, rLong-∆G-EGFP was more inclined to make CD4+ T cells, shifting toward a Th1-type response, indicating that the generation of a more balanced Th1/Th2 response was desirable. This explorative study on the recombinant Long viruses also contributed to obtaining more RSV attenuated candidates by a reverse genetics approach.


Subject(s)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/immunology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/genetics , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/immunology , Reverse Genetics/methods , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Gene Expression , Genes, Reporter , Genetic Engineering , Genetic Vectors/genetics , Hep G2 Cells , Humans , Immunity, Cellular , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/growth & development , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Viral Plaque Assay , Virus Replication
11.
Acta Trop ; 249: 107046, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37866727

ABSTRACT

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a significant public health problem in Hubei Province, China, where a novel strain of orthohantavirus, HV004, was reported in 2012. However, no systematic study has investigated the prevalence and variation of orthohantavirus in rodents and humans. Herein, 2137 small mammals were collected from ten HFRS epidemic areas in Hubei Province from 2012 to 2022, and 143 serum samples from patients with suspected hemorrhagic fever were collected from two hospitals from 2017 to 2021. Orthohantavirus RNA was recovered from 134 lung tissue samples from five rodent species, with a 6.27 % prevalence, and orthohantavirus was detected in serum samples from 25 patients. Genetic analyses revealed that orthohantavirus hantanense (HTNV), orthohantavirus seoulense (SEOV), and orthohantavirus dabieshanense (DBSV) are co-circulating in rodents in Hubei, and HTNV and SEOV were identified in patient serum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the HTNV sequences were clustered with HV004, indicating that HV004-like orthohantavirus was the main HNTV subtype in rodents. Two genetic reassortments and six recombination events were observed in Hubei orthohantaviruses. In summary, this study identified the diversity of orthohantaviruses circulating in Hubei over the past decade, with the HV004-like subtype being the main genotype in rodents and patients. These findings highlight the need for continued attention and focus on orthohantaviruses, especially concerning newly identified strains.


Subject(s)
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome , Orthohantavirus , RNA Viruses , Animals , Humans , Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome/epidemiology , Phylogeny , Orthohantavirus/genetics , Rodentia , China/epidemiology
12.
Virol Sin ; 38(3): 351-362, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37030436

ABSTRACT

Norovirus (NoV) is an important cause of viral acute gastroenteritis (AGE). To gain insights into the epidemiological characteristics and genetic diversity of NoV among children in Hubei, 1216 stool samples from children (≤ 5 years) obtained under AGE surveillance from January 2017 to December 2019 were analyzed. The results showed that NoV was responsible for 14.64% of AGE cases, with the highest detection rate in children aged 7-12 months (19.76%). Statistically significant differences were found between male and female infection rates (χ2 â€‹= â€‹8.108, P â€‹= â€‹0.004). Genetic analysis of RdRp and VP1 sequences showed that NoV GII genotypes were GII.4 Sydney [P31] (34.35%), GII.3 [P12] (25.95%), GII.2 [P16] (22.90%), GII.4 Sydney [P16] (12.98%), GII.17 [P17] (2.29%), GII.6 [P7] and GII.3 [P16] (each at 0.76%). GII.17 [P17] variants were divided into the Kawasaki323-like lineage and the Kawasaki308-like lineage. A unique recombination event was detected between strains of GII.4 Sydney 2012 and GII.4 Sydney 2016. Significantly, all GII.P16 sequences associated with GII.4/GII.2 obtained in Hubei were correlated with novel GII.2 [P16] variants that re-emerged in Germany in 2016. Antigenic site analysis of complete VP1 sequences from all GII.4 variants from Hubei identified notable variable residues of antibody epitopes. Genotyping under continuous AGE surveillance and observation of the antigenic sites of VP1 are important monitoring strategies for emerging NoV strains.


Subject(s)
Caliciviridae Infections , Enterovirus Infections , Norovirus , Humans , Male , Child , Female , Norovirus/genetics , Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology , Molecular Epidemiology , Genotype , China/epidemiology , Genetic Variation , Phylogeny , Feces
13.
Heliyon ; 9(12): e22872, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38058442

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions on hand, foot, and mouth disease in Hubei Province China during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: Data and samples were collected from the hand, foot, and mouth disease surveillance laboratory network in Hubei Province between 2018 and 2022. The samples were identified as Enterovirus A71, Coxsackievirus A6or Coxsackievirus A16 via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Representative Coxsackievirus A6 and Coxsackievirus A16 samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. Results: A noticeable 3-fold reduction in the number of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases was observed from 2019 to 2020. The age and sex distributions of patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease were approximately the same from 2018 to 2022. The proportion of Coxsackievirus A6 accounted for 86 % in 2020 and 75 % in 2021 for hand, foot, and mouth disease compared with 48 % in 2018, 53 % in 2019, and 29 % in 2022. The proportions of Coxsackievirus A16 in 2020 and 2021 were 2 % and 17 %, respectively, showing a sharp decline in 2018 (37.8 %) and 2019 (35 %). In 2022, Coxsackievirus A16 was the dominant serotype (46 %). Only slight differences were found in the VP1 sequences across the different years. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions during the coronavirus disease 2019 period reduced the transmission of enteroviruses and that long-term restrictions could significantly change the prevalence of enterovirus serotypes causing hand, foot, and mouth disease.

14.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) ; 14: 1193266, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37529609

ABSTRACT

Objective: Female sex workers (FSWs) in entertainment venues are subject to condemnation and rejection by their families and the outside world. As a result, they are prone to psychological problems, including anxiety and even suicidal tendencies. The aim of the current study was to understand the sleep and mental health status of local FSWs and to identify associated risk factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving the social recognition of FSWs and establishing effective psychological interventions. Methods: A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select women engaged in commercial sex in bathing, sauna, karaoke halls and other entertainment venues. A self-designed questionnaire assessing mental health-related factors was administered face-to-face with the respondents. 90 participants were randomly selected for blood tests to analyze the relationship between biological indicators and sleep quality. Results: The rates of depression, anxiety and somnipathy among FSWs were 32.7%, 43.1% and 8.6%, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) between sleep quality and depression, anxiety and social support were 0.07, 0.09 and -0.09, respectively. Divorce or widowhood, technical secondary school education, alcohol consumption and exercise were independent risk factors for depression in FSWs (p< 0.05) while living in urban areas and counties and having a sense of social support were protective factors (P< 0.05). Quarantining due to the pandemic and exercise were independent risk factors for anxiety in FSWs (P< 0.05) while living in counties and having a sense of social support were protective factors (P< 0.05). Quarantining due to the pandemic was an independent risk factor for somnipathy in FSWs (P< 0.05) while being married was a protective factor (P< 0.05). NE/NA was a protective factor for sleep disorders (OR=0.042, P=0.05), with an AUC of 0.87. Conclusion: FSWs should appropriately adjust their work form during the pandemic period, maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, establish long-term stable social relationships, and seek a greater sense of social support. The government should provide comprehensive bio-psycho-social interventions to address the mental and physical health status of this population.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Sex Workers , Humans , Female , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Sex Workers/psychology , Sex Work , Sleep Quality , Health Status
15.
Aging (Albany NY) ; 15(18): 9464-9478, 2023 09 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37742223

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sirtuin 1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase that is highly expressed in the hippocampus and anterior cortex tissues related to Alzheimer's Disease pathology, can cross the blood-brain barrier and is a promising biomarker. METHODS: A 1:1:1 case-control study was conducted and serum fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, SIRT1, IL-6, Aß1-42, T-tau and P-tau-181 levels were evaluated in blood samples of 26 patients form the Alzheimer's Disease group, 26 patients form the mild cognitive impairment group, and 26 individuals form the normal control group. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic significance. RESULTS: Serum SIRT1 level was significantly down-regulated in the mild cognitive impairment patients and Alzheimer's Disease patients compared with that in the normal control group (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that SIRT1 was a promising biomarker to distinguish Alzheimer's Disease patients from the mild cognitive impairment patients and the normal control group. In addition, SIRT1 was estimated to perform well in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease ([AUC] = 0.742). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the present study suggested that serum SIRT1 might be an early promising diagnostic biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Cognitive Dysfunction , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/pathology , Sirtuin 1 , Case-Control Studies , Cognitive Dysfunction/pathology , Biomarkers , Early Diagnosis , Cholesterol , tau Proteins , Amyloid beta-Peptides
16.
China CDC Wkly ; 4(5): 83-87, 2022 Feb 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35186375

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Similar to antibody detection, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T-cell response evaluation is also pivotal among the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescents and the vaccinated populations. Nucleocapsid (N) protein is one of the main structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and can trigger T-cell responses in humans. METHODS: An overlapping peptide pool covering the full length of the N protein was designed, peptides with positive T-cell activating potency in COVID-19 convalescents were screened, and CD8+ T cell epitopes were further identified. The epitope was used to detect the SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell responses in COVID-19 convalescents based in intracellular cytokine staining and tetramer staining in flow cytometry. RESULTS: A human leukocyte antigen A (HLA-A)*1101-restricted CD8+ T cell epitope, which could stimulate the production of IFN-γ via peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the convalescents was defined, and the tetramer generated with this epitope could detect SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in the PBMCs of the convalescents. The structural investigation eliminated that the epitope was a typical HLA-A*1101-restricted T-cell epitope which was conserved among all the sarbecoviruses. DISCUSSION: The newly identified SARS-CoV-2-derived T-cell epitope was helpful to detect the cellular immunity against different sarbecoviruses including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. This study provided an evaluation method and also a peptide candidate for the research and development of T-cell based vaccine for the virus.

17.
J Clin Med ; 12(1)2022 Dec 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36614829

ABSTRACT

Utilize the prevalence, associated factors and population distribution of AD and MCI among residents of the Hubei province aged 60 years or over to prove that elderly people who study and communicate with others, take part in regular physical exercise and choose a healthy lifestyle, will prevent or slow the decline in cognitive ability. If elderly people study and communicate with others, take part in regular physical exercise and choose a healthy lifestyle, can prevent or slow the decline in cognitive ability. A cross-sectional study was used for the recruitment of subjects. The screened patients with AD and MCI were then selected as patients in a case−control study. A total of 4314 subjects were recruited into the study. The prevalence of AD and MCI was 1.44% and 10.04%, respectively. The prevalence of AD and MCI differed significantly as a function of age and gender (p < 0.05). The preventative factors for AD and MCI, separately, included a happy marriage (OR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.36−1.35) and higher education (OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.55−0.78). The risk factors for AD and MCI, separately, included infrequent participation in social activities (OR = 1.00, 95%CI: 0.60−1.66) and infrequent communication with children (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.09−1.69). The prevalence of AD for people aged 60 or over in the Hubei province was lower than the national average of 3.06%. The prevalence of MCI was within the national range (5.2−23.4%). The influencing factors of AD and MCI were associated with the participants' social connections, lifestyle behaviors, somatic diseases and so on. The elderly people who study and communicate with others, take part in regular physical exercise and choose a healthy lifestyle will prevent or slow the decline in cognitive ability. The conclusion section has been replaced.

18.
Front Psychiatry ; 13: 1047014, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36713904

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a group of chronic conscious fatigue that is not easily relieved by rest and is accompanied by corresponding physiological dysfunction and psychological symptoms. However, due to the insufficient understanding of the pathogenesis of ME/CFS, there is currently a lack of effective treatment methods. In addition, there are few surveys on the current status of ME/CFS in the central region of China, and the data on ME/CFS among university students in the central region are lacking. This group conducted a survey on university students in Wuhan, Hubei Province in 2022 to collect and analyze the current status of ME/CFS among university students in central China for the first time, aiming to understand the current development of ME/CFS among university students, investigate the influencing factors of its prevalence, fill the data gaps, and provide a reliable basis for developing interventions for chronic fatigue syndrome among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in a university in Hubei province. Data were collected via online questionnaire surveys. The contents included demographic characteristics, lifestyles, disease history, depression, anxiety, sleep, ME/CFS and other associated factors. SAS 9.4 statistical software was used to analyze and estimate the effect of associated factors on ME/CFS. Results: A total of 1826 subjects were included in the final analysis. The results showed that the prevalence of ME/CFS in university students was 6.25%. Univariate analysis showed that exercise, alcohol consumption, study, overnights, diet, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality were associated with ME/CFS (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that overnights, overeating, anxiety, and sleep quality were independent risk factors, while learning was a protective factor. Conclusion: College students should pay enough attention to ME/CFS, improve their understanding of ME/CFS, and improve people's ability to understand ME/CFS.

19.
Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom ; 1870(2): 140736, 2022 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34774760

ABSTRACT

We present an integrated analysis of urine and serum proteomics and clinical measurements in asymptomatic, mild/moderate, severe and convalescent cases of COVID-19. We identify the pattern of immune response during COVID-19 infection. The immune response is activated in asymptomatic infection, but is dysregulated in mild and severe COVID-19 patients. Our data suggest that the turning point depends on the function of myeloid cells and neutrophils. In addition, immune defects persist into the recovery stage, until 12 months after diagnosis. Moreover, disorders of cholesterol metabolism span the entire progression of the disease, starting from asymptomatic infection and lasting to recovery. Our data suggest that prolonged dysregulation of the immune response and cholesterol metabolism might be the pivotal causative agent of other potential sequelae. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 immunopathogenesis, which is instructive for the development of early intervention strategies to ameliorate complex disease sequelae.


Subject(s)
Asymptomatic Infections , COVID-19/immunology , Cholesterol/metabolism , Convalescence , Proteomics , COVID-19/blood , COVID-19/urine , Case-Control Studies , Cholesterol/blood , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Immunity , Myeloid Cells/immunology , Neutrophils/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification
20.
J Chromatogr A ; 1649: 462230, 2021 Jul 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34038786

ABSTRACT

This paper reports on a new method for simultaneously determining the amphiphobicities of material surface by a dual-indicator assisted headspace gas chromatography. After adding 40 µL of both methanol-water and toluene-oil droplets on the sample surface for 20 s, the sample was turned vertically (to remove water and oil) and then placed in a headspace vial. The amount of methanol and toluene in the residual water and oil adhered to material surface was quantified using headspace gas chromatography. The results showed that the method has good measurement precision (RSD < 4.58%). It can be an effective tool for simultaneously determining the amphiphobicities of material surface.


Subject(s)
Chromatography, Gas/methods , Methanol/analysis , Surface Properties , Toluene/analysis , Volatilization , Water/chemistry
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