A bispecific antibody exhibits broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants XBB.1.16, BQ.1.1 and sarbecoviruses.

The Omicron subvariants BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, and XBB.1.16 of SARS-CoV-2 are known for their adeptness at evading immune responses. Here, we isolate a neutralizing antibody, 7F3, with the capacity to neutralize all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants, including BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, and XBB.1.16. 7F3 targets the receptor-binding motif (RBM) region and exhibits broad binding to a panel of 37 RBD mutant proteins. We develop the IgG-like bispecific antibody G7-Fc using 7F3 and the cross-neutralizing antibody GW01. G7-Fc demonstrates robust neutralizing activity against all 28 tested SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses, providing potent prophylaxis and therapeutic efficacy against XBB.1 infection in both K18-ACE and BALB/c female mice. Cryo-EM structure analysis of the G7-Fc in complex with the Omicron XBB spike (S) trimer reveals a trimer-dimer conformation, with G7-Fc synergistically targeting two distinct RBD epitopes and blocking ACE2 binding. Comparative analysis of 7F3 and LY-CoV1404 epitopes highlights a distinct and highly conserved epitope in the RBM region bound by 7F3, facilitating neutralization of the immune-evasive Omicron variant XBB.1.16. G7-Fc holds promise as a potential prophylactic countermeasure against SARS-CoV-2, particularly against circulating and emerging variants.

The potential toxicity of microplastics on human health.

Microplastics are plastic particles, films, and fibers with a diameter of < 5 mm. Given their long-standing existence in the environment and terrible increase in annual emissions, concerns were raised about the potential health risk of microplastics on human beings. In particular, the increased consumption of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased human contact with microplastics. To date, the emergence of microplastics in the human body, such as feces, blood, placenta, lower airway, and lungs, has been reported. Related toxicological investigations of microplastics were gradually increased. To comprehensively illuminate the interplay of microplastic exposure and human health, we systematically reviewed the updated toxicological data of microplastics and summarized their mode of action, adverse effects, and toxic mechanisms. The emerging critical issues in the current toxicological investigations were proposed and discussed. Our work would facilitate a better understanding of MPs-induced health hazards for toxicological evaluation and provide helpful information for regulatory decisions.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Adolescents: Cross-Sectional School Survey in Four Chinese Cities Prior to Vaccine Availability.

To address the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, development and regulatory evaluations have been accelerated for vaccines, authorizing emergency use. To anticipate vaccine preparedness in adolescents, we studied COVID-19 vaccination awareness and willingness to vaccinate before the vaccine became available. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 9153 (4575 boys, 50%) students with a mean age of 14.2 years old in four cities in China to collect information on demographic characteristics and their COVID-19 vaccination concerns. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of vaccine hesitancy ("not sure") and resistance ("do not want it"). The results showed that 2891 (31.6%) were hesitant and 765 (8.4%) were resistant to being vaccinated. Additionally, multivariable analyses showed that vaccine hesitancy and vaccine resistance were associated with living in the Beijing area (OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.40-1.88; OR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.44-2.28), lack of influenza vaccination experience (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.14-1.55; OR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.25-1.98), no perceived susceptibility (OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.50-1.97; OR = 3.57; 95% CI: 2.86-4.46), and perceiving no cues to action (OR = 3.24; 95% CI: 2.56-4.11; OR = 27.68; 95% CI: 21.81-35.13). Postulating a highly effective vaccine (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72-0.98; OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.52-0.83) decreased both vaccine hesitancy and resistance. Vaccine hesitancy alone was associated with girls (OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.09-1.36) and was less common among students boarding at school (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68-0.92), postulating convenient vaccine access (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.73-0.96), and having doctors' recommendation (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.98). In conclusion, the results of the study showed that vaccine hesitancy among students in China was associated with limited health literacy and lower risk awareness. Our findings in China suggest that educating youth regarding COVID-19 and the safety and effectiveness of immunization help reduce concerns and increase vaccine confidence and acceptance.

Willingness and related factors of COVID-19 vaccination among middle school students in four cities of China / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#This study aims to investigate the willingness and influencing factors of COVID-19 vaccination among Chinese middle school students, and to provide a reference for promoting the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination among middle school students.@*Methods@#An online survey was conducted among middle school students in Beijing, Anqing of Anhui Province, Xi an of Shaanxi Province and Shenzhen of Guangdong Province, and 9 153 participants were enrolled in the present study. Single factor analysis and multinomial Logistic regression was used to determine the related factors of COVID-19 vaccination willingness.@*Results@#The prevalence of vaccine acceptance, vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal among middle school students were 60.05%, 31.59% and 8.36%, respectively. The results of Chi square analysis showed there were significant difference of COVID-19 vaccination willingness among sex, school residence, grade, region, vaccination willingness of surrounding classmates, vaccination willingness of others, fear of SARS-CoV-2 and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection( χ 2=8.43-1 059.43, P <0.05). Multinomial Logistic regression analysis presented that, compared to "vaccine acceptance" group, those girls, non resident in school, living in Beijing or Anqing, disagree or uncertain with influenced by peers, disagree or uncertain with influenced by others, uncertain with fear of SARS-CoV-2, disagree or uncertain with having risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to show vaccine hesitancy( OR =1.22,1.21,1.49,1.69,1.75,2.54,1.41,2.32,3.32,1.99,2.38, P <0.05). And those non boarding in school, living in Beijing or Xi an, disagree or uncertainty influenced by peers, disagree or uncertainty influenced by others, disagree with fear of SARS- CoV- 2, disagree or uncertainty in having risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to show vaccine refusal ( OR =1.27, 2.29 ,1.46,3.88,2.37,2.31,1.47,2.14,4.24,1.47, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The willingness of COVID-19 vaccination among middle school students in four cities is low, and targeted interventions should be advocated to form herd immunity.