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Aim: To explore the association between VPA and weight status in adolescents. Methods: The 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey (HBSC) targeted children and adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15. A systematic multistage stratified cluster randomized sampling method was used in each participating country. The 2017/2018 survey enrolled over 240,951 adolescents across 45 countries and regions. Frequency of VPA, weight status and confounding factors were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Results: Compared to daily VPA, less frequent VPA was linked to higher odds of obesity. For example, those who participating in VPA for 4-6 times a week (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06-1.13), 2-3 times a week (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.17-1.25), or once a week (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.16-1.25) all have higher odds of abnormal weight status. For boys, the frequency of 4-6 times a week (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04-1.13), 2-3 times a week (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.17-1.27), or once a week (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.19-1.32) were associated with higher odds of abnormal weight status. For girls, those who participating in VPA 4-6 times a week (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06-1.16), 2-3 times a week (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.14-1.25), or once a week (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.11-1.23) all have higher odds of abnormal weight status (i.e., overweight or obesity). Conclusion: This population-based study suggests that infrequent VPA participation is associated with unhealthy weight status in adolescents compared to their physically active counterparts. Additionally, this association remains consistent in both boys and girls.
Subject(s)
Body Weight , Exercise , Humans , Male , Female , Cross-Sectional Studies , Adolescent , Child , Surveys and Questionnaires , Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology , Self Report , Health BehaviorABSTRACT
Aim: This research sought to identify the association between sports participation and resilience in children and adolescents as a means to enhance mental health. Methods: A comprehensive survey was carried out, encompassing primary, middle, and high school students from chosen educational institutions. The analytical sample comprised 67,281 students of school age. Sports participation and resilience were evaluated using validated assessment tools, while relevant covariates, such as sex and school grade, were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Generalized Linear Models were applied to ascertain the association between sports participation and resilience for the entire sample, and separately for subgroups divided by gender or school grade, after controlling for covariates. Results: Among the 67,281 school students, males constituted 51.9% of the sample. Approximately 47.1% of the entire sample reported no sports participation, and the average resilience score was 24.7. The regression model analysis revealed that, in the entire sample, increased in sports participation was linked to higher resilience scores (odds ratio [OR] for 1-3 times per month: 1.20, 95%CI: 1.16-1.24; OR for 1-2 times per week: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.33-1.43; OR for 3 times or more per week: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.65-1.79). Analyses stratified by gender and school grade indicated that sports participation was consistently associated with greater resilience. Conclusion: This study provides cross-sectional evidence supporting the positive association between sports participation and the resilience of children and adolescents, underscoring the potential of encouraging sports participation as a strategy for promoting mental health resilience. The findings presented herein should be subject to further confirmation or refutation in future research endeavors.
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The lasso peptide microcin J25 (MccJ25) possesses strong antibacterial properties and is considered a potential effective component of bacterial disease treatment drugs and safe food preservatives. Although MccJ25 can be heterologously expressed in Bacillus subtilis as we have previously reported, its regulation and accumulation are yet to be understood. Here, we investigated the expression level and stability of MccJ25 in B. subtilis strains with disruption in peptidase genes pepA, pepF, and pepT. Oligoendopeptidase F (PepF) was found to be involved in reduction of the production of MccJ25 by degradation of its precursor peptide. In the pepF mutant, the MccJ25 reached a concentration of 1.68 µM after a cultivation time exceeding 60 hours, while the wild-type strain exhibited a concentration of only 0.14 µM. Moreover, the production of MccJ25 in B. subtilis downregulated the genes associated with sporulation, and this may contribute to its accumulation. Finally, this study provides a strategy to improve the stability and production of MccJ25 in B. subtilis. IMPORTANCE: MccJ25 displays significant antibacterial activity, a well-defined mode of action, exceptional safety, and remarkable stability. Hence, it presents itself as a compelling candidate for an optimal antibacterial or anti-endotoxin medication. The successful establishment of exogenous production of MccJ25 in Bacillus subtilis provides a strategy for reducing its production cost and diversifying its utilization. In this study, we have provided evidence indicating that both peptidase PepF and sporulation are significant factors that limit the expression of MccJ25 in B. subtilis. The ΔpepF and ΔsigF mutants of B. subtilis express MccJ25 with higher production yield and enhanced stability. To sum up, this study developed several better engineered strains of B. subtilis, which greatly reduced the consumption of MccJ25 during the nutrient depletion stage of the host strain, improved its production, and elucidated factors that may be involved in reducing MccJ25 accumulation in B. subtilis.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Bacillus subtilis , Bacterial Proteins , Bacteriocins , Spores, Bacterial , Bacillus subtilis/genetics , Bacillus subtilis/metabolism , Bacillus subtilis/growth & development , Bacteriocins/metabolism , Bacteriocins/genetics , Bacteriocins/biosynthesis , Spores, Bacterial/genetics , Spores, Bacterial/growth & development , Spores, Bacterial/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/biosynthesis , Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial , Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism , Peptide Hydrolases/geneticsABSTRACT
In recent years, pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants have resulted in an epidemic in swine herds and huge economic losses in China. Therefore, it is essential to develop an efficacious vaccine against the spread of PRV variants. Here, the triple-gene-deletion virus and the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus were constructed by homologous recombination (HR). And then, their growth capacity, proliferation ability, and immune efficacy were evaluated. The results showed that the growth kinetics of the recombinant viruses were similar to those of the parental strain PRV-AH. Compared with the triple-gene-deletion virus group, the more dominant level of neutralizing antibody (NA) can be induced in the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus group with the same 106.0 TCID50 dose after 4 and 6 weeks post-initial immunization (PII) (p < 0.0001). In addition, the antibody titers in mice immunized with the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus were significantly higher than those immunized with triple-gene deletion virus with the same 105.0 TCID50 dose after 6 weeks PII (p < 0.001). More importantly, in the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus group with 105.0 TCID50, the level of NA was close to that in the triple-gene deletion virus group with 106.0 TCID50 at 6 weeks PII. Meanwhile, the cytokines IL-4 and IFN-γ in sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in each group. The highest level of IL-4 or IFN-γ was also elicited in the triple-gene deletion plus gC virus group at a dose of 106.0 TCID50. After challenge with PRV-AH, the survival rates of the triple-gene deletion plus gC virus immunized groups were higher than those of other groups. In immunized groups with 105.0 TCID50, the survival rate shows a significant difference between the triple-gene deletion plus gC virus group (75%, 6/8) and the triple-gene deletion virus group (12.5%, 1/8). In general, the immune efficacy of the PRV TK/gI/gE-deleted virus can be increased with additional gC insertion in mice, which has potential for developing an attenuated vaccine candidate for PRV control.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , Gene Deletion , Herpesvirus 1, Suid , Pseudorabies Vaccines , Pseudorabies , Animals , Herpesvirus 1, Suid/genetics , Herpesvirus 1, Suid/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Mice , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Pseudorabies/prevention & control , Pseudorabies/immunology , Pseudorabies/virology , Pseudorabies Vaccines/immunology , Pseudorabies Vaccines/genetics , Pseudorabies Vaccines/administration & dosage , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Swine , Female , Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics , Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology , Homologous Recombination , Cytokines/metabolism , ChinaABSTRACT
Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that poses a risk of progression to dementia. There is growing research interest in body-mind exercise (BME) for patients with MCI. While we have observed a rapid growth in interest in BME for MCI over the past 10 years, no bibliometric analysis has investigated the knowledge structure and research trends in this field. Consequently, the objective of this research is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of global publications of BME for MCI from 2013 to 2022. Methods: A total of 242 publications in the field of BME for MCI were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis, including performance analysis, science mapping, and visualization, was performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel. Results: Publications and citations in the field of BME for MCI have shown a rapidly increasing trend over the last decade. Geriatrics & Gerontology, and Neurosciences were the most frequently involved research categories. China (78 documents) and the USA (75 documents) contributed to the largest number of publications and had the strongest international collaborative networks. Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine contributed to the largest number of publications (12 documents), and Chen, L of this institution was the most prolific author (12 documents). Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (16 documents), and JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (12 documents) were the most prolific journals. Tai Chi and Baduanjin, as specific types of BME, were the hotspots of research in this field, while evidence synthesis and guidelines might be future research trends. Conclusion: In the last decade, there has been a rapid growth in scientific activities in the field of BME for MCI. The results of this study provide researchers and other stakeholders with knowledge structure, hotspots, and future research trends in this field.
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AIM: This study is to investigate the current status of knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice in hospice care among nurses in Hainan, China, and then to analyse its influencing factors and mediating effects. This provides a basis for formulating scientific and standardized hospice care training programmes for nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice in hospice care among 1819 nurses in Hainan, China. Convenience sampling was used to select participants from 45 hospitals and nursing homes in 14 cities and counties from October to December 2021. A scale of knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice of healthcare providers in hospice care (Chinese version) was administered to collect data during the study period. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc analysis and multiple linear regression, assessed the status of knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice of hospice care in nurses and identified influencing factors. The PROCESS macro program model 4.0 was employed to explore the mediating effect of attitude on knowledge and self-reported practice in hospice care. RESULTS: Nurses in Hainan displayed low knowledge (mean = 7.68, SD = 3.53), moderate attitudes (mean = 88.13, SD = 12.10) and self-reported practice (mean = 51.81, SD = 9.82) in hospice care. Current employment and willingness to engage in hospice care were significant factors influencing knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice in hospice care. Attitude partially mediated the relationship between knowledge and self-reported practice. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study focuses on nurses' knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice in hospice care and does not directly involve patients or the public. However, the findings enhance hospice care provided to patients and the broader community by improving nurses' knowledge and skills. This study informs evidence-based training programmes and interventions, benefiting those in need of hospice care services.
Subject(s)
Hospice Care , Hospices , Nurses , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Self Report , Clinical Competence , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , ChinaABSTRACT
The H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) reveals high variability and threatens poultry production and public health. To prevent the spread of H5N1 HPAIV, we developed an H5N1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine based on the insect cell-baculovirus expression system. Single immunization of the H5N1 VLP vaccines induced high levels of HI antibody titres and provided effective protection against homologous virus challenge comparable to the commercial inactivated vaccine. Meanwhile, we assessed the relative efï¬cacy of different adjuvants by carrying out a head-to-head comparison of the adjuvants ISA 201 and ISA 71 and evaluated whether the two adjuvants could induce broadly protective immunity. The ISA 71 adjuvanted vaccine induced significantly higher levels of Th1 and Th2 immune responses and provided superior cross-protection against antigenically divergent H5N1 virus challenge than the ISA 201 adjuvanted vaccine. Importantly, increasing the vaccine dose could further enhance the cross-protective efficacy of H5N1 VLP vaccine and confer completely sterilizing protection against antigenically divergent H5N1 virus challenge, which was mediated by neutralizing antibodies. Our results suggest that the H5N1 VLP vaccine can provide broad-spectrum protection against divergent H5N1 influenza viruses as determined by adjuvant and vaccine dose.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype , Influenza Vaccines , Influenza in Birds , Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle , Animals , Chickens , Vaccine Efficacy , Antibodies, Viral , Immunization , Adjuvants, ImmunologicABSTRACT
H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV) has caused huge losses in the poultry industry and impacted human public health security, and still poses a potential threat. Currently, immune prevention and control of avian influenza relies on traditional inactivated vaccines; however, they have some limitations and genetically engineered avian influenza subunit vaccines may be potential candidate vaccines. In this study, a T169A mutation in the HA protein derived from H7N9 AIV A/Chicken/Guangdong/16876 (H7N9-16876) was generated using the baculovirus expression system (BVES). The results showed that the mutant (HAm) had significantly increased thermostability compared with the wild-type HA protein (HA-WT). Importantly, immunizing chickens with HAm combined with ISA 71VG elicited higher cross-reactive hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody responses and cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-4) secretion. After a lethal challenge with heterologous H7N9 AIV, the vaccine conferred chickens with 100% (10/10) clinical protection and effectively inhibited viral shedding, with 90% (9/10) of the chickens showing no virus shedding. The thermostability of HAm may represent an advantage in practical vaccine manufacture and application. In general, the HAm generated in this study represents a promising subunit vaccine candidate for the prevention and control of H7N9 avian influenza.
ABSTRACT
The interferon-delta family was first reported in domestic pigs and belongs to the type I interferon (IFN-I) family. The enteric viruses could cause diarrhea in newborn piglets with high morbidity and mortality. We researched the function of the porcine IFN-delta (PoIFN-δ) family in the porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) cells infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Our study found that all PoIFN-δs shared a typical IFN-I signature and could be divided into five branches in the phylogenic tree. Different strains of PEDV could induce typical IFN transitorily, and the virulent strain AH2012/12 had the strongest induction of porcine IFN-δ and IFN-alpha (PoIFN-α) in the early stage of infection. In addition, it was found that PoIFN-δ5/6/9/11 and PoIFN-δ1/2 were highly expressed in the intestine. PoIFN-δ5 had a better antiviral effect on PEDV compared to PoIFN-δ1 due to its higher induction of ISGs. PoIFN-δ1 and PoIFN-δ5 also activated JAK-STAT and IRS signaling. For other enteric viruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and porcine rotavirus (PoRV), PoIFN-δ1 and PoIFN-δ5 both showed an excellent antiviral effect. Transcriptome analyses uncovered the differences in host responses to PoIFN-α and PoIFN-δ5 and revealed thousands of differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the inflammatory response, antigen processing and presentation, and other immune-related pathways. PoIFN-δ5 would be a potential antiviral drug, especially against porcine enteric viruses. These studies were the first to report the antiviral function against porcine enteric viruses and broaden the new acquaintances of this type of interferon though not novelly discovered.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Enteroviruses, Porcine , Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus , Swine Diseases , Animals , Swine , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Transcriptome , Intestines , Epithelial Cells , Interferon-alpha/pharmacology , Gene Expression Profiling/veterinary , Coronavirus Infections/veterinaryABSTRACT
Swine coronavirus-porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) with specific susceptibility to pigs has existed for decades, and recurrent epidemics caused by mutant strains have swept the world again since 2010. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to perform for the first time, to our knowledge, a systematic analysis of pig jejunum infected with PEDV. Pig intestinal cell types were identified by representative markers and identified a new tuft cell marker, DNAH11. Excepting enterocyte cells, the goblet and tuft cells confirmed susceptibility to PEDV. Enrichment analyses showed that PEDV infection resulted in upregulation of cell apoptosis, junctions, and the MAPK signaling pathway and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cell types. The T cell differentiation and IgA production were decreased in T and B cells, respectively. Cytokine gene analyses revealed that PEDV infection downregulated CXCL8, CXCL16, and IL34 in tuft cells and upregulated IL22 in Th17 cells. Further studies found that infection of goblet cells with PEDV decreased the expression of MUC2, as well as other mucin components. Moreover, the antimicrobial peptide REG3G was obviously upregulated through the IL33-STAT3 signaling pathway in enterocyte cells in the PEDV-infected group, and REG3G inhibited the PEDV replication. Finally, enterocyte cells expressed almost all coronavirus entry factors, and PEDV infection caused significant upregulation of the coronavirus receptor ACE2 in enterocyte cells. In summary, this study systematically investigated the responses of different cell types in the jejunum of piglets after PEDV infection, which deepened the understanding of viral pathogenesis.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus , Swine , Animals , Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus/genetics , Transcriptome , Intestine, Small/pathology , Intestines/pathology , Sequence Analysis, RNAABSTRACT
Background: In adolescents, excessive screen time leads to many adverse health outcomes and is associated with a variety of lifestyle behaviors. This study was conducted to investigate the associations between the two types of screen time and a variety of lifestyle behaviors in American adolescents. Methods: Based on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, this cross-sectional study was conducted. With the help of data collectors, participants self-reported screening time, lifestyle behaviors, and demographic data via well-validated tools. Results: 19% and 43.4% of the participants spent more than two hours a day watching television and using the computer, respectively, while the prevalence of physical inactivity and insufficient sleep was 75.1 and 74.4% respectively. Furthermore, 11.9, 7.3, 14.3, and 21.3% of the participants reported skipping fruits, vegetables, breakfast and milk, respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption and sexual activity was 26.8, 5.3, and 23.5% respectively. More than two hours of television time was significantly associated with high risks of fewer frequency for eating fruit (OR = 1.605, 95%CI: 1.308-1.970), vegetables (OR = 1.389, 95%CI: 1.029-1.873), and smoking (OR = 1.465, 95%CI: 1.088-1.972). Computer/video time for more than two hours was significantly associated with high risks of physical inactivity (OR = 1.724, 95%CI: 1.531-1.941), insufficient sleep (OR = 1.354, 95%CI: 1.151-1.592), and not eating fruit (OR = 1.434, 95%CI: 1.179-1.745). Conclusion: Increased screen time may be associated with specific unhealthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescents. Furthermore, the associations between different types of screen time and various lifestyle behaviors varied.
Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Screen Time , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Life Style , Sleep Deprivation , United StatesABSTRACT
Ducks and wild aquatic birds are the natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses. However, the host proteome response that causes disease in vivo by the H5N1 HPAI virus is still unclear. This study presented a comprehensive analysis of the proteome response in Muscovy duck lung tissue during 3 days of infection with either a highly virulent DK383 or an avirulent DK212. An unbiased strategy- isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was utilized to investigate the infection mechanism. Pathways derived from analysis of 292 significantly altered proteins may contribute to the high pathogenic nature and disease progression of H5N1 viruses. Global proteome profiles indicated improved correlation with the virus titers and gene expression patterns between the two strains of the H5N1 virus. DK383 replicated more efficiently and induced a stronger response specific to severe disease. While proteins involved in the immune response of neutrophils were increased markedly by DK383, DK212 evoked a distinct response characterized by an increase in proteins involved in the maturation of dendritic cells, adhesion of phagocytes, and immune response of macrophages. The differentially activated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway might involve in the host response to H5N1 viruses. Therefore, systematically integrated with datasets from primary genomic and virus titer results, proteomic analyses may help reveal the potential pathogenesis.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype , Influenza A virus , Influenza in Birds , Animals , Animals, Wild , Birds , Ducks , Proteome , Proteomics , Tandem Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Zoonotic coronaviruses represent an ongoing threat to public health. The classical porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) first appeared in the early 1970s. Since 2010, outbreaks of highly virulent PEDV variants have caused great economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. However, the strategies by which PEDV variants escape host immune responses are not fully understood. Complement component 3 (C3) is considered a central component of the three complement activation pathways and plays a crucial role in preventing viral infection. In this study, we found that C3 significantly inhibited PEDV replication in vitro, and both variant and classical PEDV strains induced high levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in Huh7 cells. However, the PEDV variant strain reduces C3 transcript and protein levels induced by IL-1ß compared with the PEDV classical strain. Examination of key molecules of the C3 transcriptional signaling pathway revealed that variant PEDV reduced C3 by inhibiting CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ß (C/EBP-ß) phosphorylation. Mechanistically, PEDV nonstructural protein 1 (NSP1) inhibited C/EBP-ß phosphorylation via amino acid residue 50. Finally, we constructed recombinant PEDVs to verify the critical role of amino acid 50 of NSP1 in the regulation of C3 expression. In summary, we identified a novel antiviral role of C3 in inhibiting PEDV replication and the viral immune evasion strategies of PEDV variants. Our study reveals new information on PEDV-host interactions and furthers our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of this virus. IMPORTANCE The complement system acts as a vital link between the innate and the adaptive immunity and has the ability to recognize and neutralize various pathogens. Activation of the complement system acts as a double-edged sword, as appropriate levels of activation protect against pathogenic infections, but excessive responses can provoke a dramatic inflammatory response and cause tissue damage, leading to pathological processes, which often appear in COVID-19 patients. However, how PEDV, as the most severe coronavirus causing diarrhea in piglets, regulates the complement system has not been previously reported. In this study, for the first time, we identified a novel mechanism of a PEDV variant in the suppression of C3 expression, showing that different coronaviruses and even different subtype strains differ in regulation of C3 expression. In addition, this study provides a deeper understanding of the mechanism of the PEDV variant in immune escape and enhanced virulence.
Subject(s)
Complement C3 , Coronavirus Infections , Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus , Swine Diseases , Viral Nonstructural Proteins , Virus Replication , Animals , Antiviral Agents , COVID-19/immunology , Cell Line, Tumor , Complement C3/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Humans , Interleukin-1beta/genetics , Interleukin-1beta/immunology , Swine , Swine Diseases/immunology , Swine Diseases/virology , Viral Nonstructural Proteins/metabolism , Virus Replication/physiologyABSTRACT
This study aimed to describe different patterns of self-management behaviors among clients with schizophrenia in China. Two hundred twenty-eight clients with schizophrenia living in eight communities of Beijing were investigated using the Self-Management Instrument for Persons with Schizophrenia and a Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Questionnaire. Cluster analysis was performed to categorize the data. Four distinct self-management behavior patterns and variables of clients associated with non-adherent self-management were identified. The self-management behaviors and demographic characteristics were similar in each pattern but different among patterns. These findings could guide the development of more personalized and cost-effective self-management interventions for different patterns of clients in the future.
Subject(s)
Schizophrenia , Self-Management , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Medication Adherence , Schizophrenia/therapy , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The mammalian follicle is the basic functional unit of the ovary, and its normal development is required to obtaining oocytes capable of fertilization. As women get older or decline in ovarian function due to certain pathological factors, the growth and development of follicles becomes abnormal, which ultimately leads to infertility and other related female diseases. Kuntai capsules are currently used in clinical practice to improve ovarian function, and they contain the natural compound Baicalin, which is a natural compound with important biological activities. At present, the role and mechanism of Baicalin in the development of ovarian follicles is unclear. METHODS: Human primary granulosa cells collected from follicular fluid, and then cultured and treated with Baicalin or its normal control, assessed for viability, subjected to RT-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and hormone analyses. The estrus cycle and oocytes of CD-1 mice were studied after Baicalin administration and compared with controls. Ovaries were collected from the mice and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: We showed that Baicalin had a dose-dependent effect on granulosa cells cultured in vitro. A low concentration of Baicalin (for example, 10 µM) helped to maintain the viability of granulosa cells; however, at a concentration exceeding 50 µM, it exerted a toxic effect. A low concentration significantly improved the viability of granulosa cells and inhibited cell apoptosis, which may be related to the resultant upregulation of Bcl-2 expression and downregulation of Bax and Caspase 3. By constructing a hydrogen peroxide-induced cell oxidative stress damage model, we found that Baicalin reversed the cell damage caused by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, Baicalin increased the secretion of estradiol and progesterone by upregulating P450arom and stAR. The results of the in vivo experiment showed that the intragastric administration of Baicalin to aged mice improved the estrous cycle and oocyte quality. Furthermore, we observed that Baicalin enhanced the viability of granulosa cells through the mTOR pathway, which in turn improve ovarian function. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Baicalin could improve the viability of ovarian granulosa cells and the secretion of steroid hormones and thus could help to improve degenerating ovarian function and delay ovarian aging.
Subject(s)
Flavonoids , Granulosa Cells , Ovary , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases , Animals , Female , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Granulosa Cells/drug effects , Granulosa Cells/enzymology , Humans , Mice , Ovary/drug effects , Ovary/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolismABSTRACT
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of the epidemic of African swine fever (ASF), with virulent strains having a mortality rate of up to 100% and presenting devastating impacts on animal farming. Since ASF was first reported in China in 2018, ASFV still exists and poses a potential threat to the current pig industry. Low-virulence and genotype I strains of ASFV have been reported in China, and the prevention and control of ASF is more complicated. Insufficient understanding of the interaction of ASFV with the host immune system hinders vaccine development. Physical barriers, nonspecific immune response and acquired immunity are the three barriers of the host against infection. To escape the innate immune response, ASFV invades monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells, thereby inhibiting IFN expression, regulating cytokine expression and the body's inflammatory response process. Meanwhile, in order to evade the adaptive immune response, ASFV inhibits antigen presentation, induces the production of non-neutralizing antibodies, and inhibits apoptosis. Recently, significant advances have been achieved in vaccine development around the world. Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) based on artificially deleting specific virulence genes can achieve 100% homologous protection and partial heterologous protection. The key of subunit vaccines is identifying the combination of antigens that can effectively provide protection and selecting carriers that can effectively deliver the antigens. In this review, we introduce the epidemic trend of ASF and the impact on the pig industry, analyze the interaction mechanism between ASFV and the body's immune system, and compare the current status of potential vaccines in order to provide a reference for the development of effective ASF vaccines.
ABSTRACT
The continuous evolution of the H7N9 avian influenza virus suggests a potential outbreak of an H7N9 pandemic. Therefore, to prevent a potential epidemic of the H7N9 influenza virus, it is necessary to develop an effective crossprotective influenza vaccine. In this study, we developed H7N9 virus-like particles (VLPs) containing HA, NA, and M1 proteins derived from H7N9/16876 virus and a helper antigen HMN based on influenza conserved epitopes using a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). The results showed that the influenza VLP vaccine induced a strong HI antibody response and provided effective protection comparable with the effects of commercial inactivated H7N9 vaccines against homologous H7N9 virus challenge in chickens. Meanwhile, the H7N9 VLP vaccine induced robust crossreactive HI and neutralizing antibody titers against antigenically divergent H7N9 viruses isolated in wave 5 and conferred on chickens complete clinical protection against heterologous H7N9 virus challenge, significantly inhibiting virus shedding in chickens. Importantly, supplemented vaccination with HMN antigen can enhance Th1 immune responses; virus shedding was completely abolished in the vaccinated chickens. Our study also demonstrated that viral receptor-binding avidity should be taken into consideration in evaluating an H7N9 candidate vaccine. These studies suggested that supplementing influenza VLP vaccine with recombinant epitope antigen will be a promising strategy for the development of broad-spectrum influenza vaccines.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype , Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle , Animals , Antibodies, Viral , Chickens , Dietary Supplements , Epitopes , Humans , Vaccines, InactivatedABSTRACT
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an alpha-coronavirus that causes epidemic diarrhea in swines. The mortality of PEDV infection in one-week-old piglets is extremely high, which causes a huge significant economic loss to the global pig husbandry and blocks its healthy development. There was a lack of adequate studies to elucidate pathogenic mechanism associated with PEDV infection. In the present study, we detected the expression profiles of polyamine metabolism associated genes in Vero cells infected with PEDV by RT-qPCR. It is shown that PAOX(acetylpolyamine oxidase), SMOX(spermine oxidase), SAT1(spermidine-spermine acetyltransferase 1), ODC1(ornithine decarboxylase 1), DHPS(deoxyhypusine synthase) and EIF5A( eukaryotic initiation factor 5A) were significantly upregulated. Through intervening SAT1 level in PEDV-infected Vero cells, it is identified that overexpression of SAT1 inhibited PEDV replication by reducing polyamine levels. Furthermore, polyamine depletion and upregulation were found to regulate the proliferation of PEDV. PEDV infection in Vero cells did not result in a significant change in the protein level of eIF5A, and in addition, the activated eIF5A did not affect the proliferation of PEDV. Our results provided new insights into the influence of polyamine metabolism on the proliferation of PEDV.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus , Swine Diseases , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Chlorocebus aethiops , Coronavirus Infections/pathology , Polyamines/metabolism , Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus/physiology , Swine , Vero CellsABSTRACT
Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has tremendous advantages for resolving the problem of male infertility. However, ICSI fertilization can fail in some patients because of various reasons, primarily because of the failure of oocyte activation. Oocytes have been activated using calcium ionophore (A23187) in previous clinical cases of ICSI fertilization failure. However, studies on the efficiency of calcium ionophore (A23187) activation, its effects on the developmental potential of embryos, and its effects on pregnancy outcomes after embryo transfer are relatively limited. Methods: In this study, we investigated the safety and long-term efficacy of calcium ionophore (A23187) by analyzing its effects on fertilization, embryonic development, aneuploidy, and pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles. Results: Comparative analyses of the activation followed by PGT (A-PGT) and PGT groups revealed no significant differences between the oocyte cleavage rate and high-quality embryo rate (98.19% vs. 98.63% and 63.13% vs. 68.39%, respectively, p > 0.05). Although the blastocyst formation rate was significantly lower in the A-PGT group than that in the PGT group (52.22% vs. 59.90%, p < 0.05), no significant difference was observed in the blastocyst aneuploidy rates of the two groups (24.49% vs. 24.55%, p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the live birth rate (43.75% vs. 52.99%), week of delivery, and birth weight of the infants after transfer of euploid blastocysts (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the 2PN rate, oocyte cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, and live birth rate were found to be significantly lower in the A-ICSI group than those in the ICSI group (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the week of delivery and birth weight of live births (p > 0.05). Discussion: These results suggest that the use of calcium ionophore (A23187) activation as an option in cases of ICSI fertilization failure does not affect the ploidy of developing blastocysts and has no significant effects on the week of delivery or birth weight after transfer. Thus, we provide a scientific basis for the clinical safety of oocyte activation using calcium ionophore (A23187).
Subject(s)
Genetic Testing , Semen , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Male , Calcium Ionophores/pharmacology , Calcimycin , Birth Weight , Genetic Testing/methods , Embryonic Development , AneuploidyABSTRACT
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious intestinal disease which mostly caused by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV). The PED has caused huge economic losses to the pig industry all over the world and a valid PEDV vaccine is needed to prevent the infection. In this study, we constructed expression plasmid based on the spike (S) gene of the epidemic PEDV strain. The recombinant eukaryotic S (Se) and prokaryotic S (Sp) subunit proteins were expressed and purified as vaccine antigens. We designed a new subunit vaccine based on S proteins, adjuvanted with layered double hydroxide (LDH). The results indicated that the LDH adjuvanted subunit vaccines induced a better immune effect in terms of antibody level and cellular immune response. In conclusion, this study showed a new design of a PEDV subunit vaccine with nanotechnology and demonstrated the potential for its clinical application.