Determining the International Spread of B.1.1.523 SARS-CoV-2 Lineage with a Set of Mutations Highly Associated with Reduced Immune Neutralization.

Here, we report the emergence of the variant lineage B.1.1.523 that contains a set of mutations including 156_158del, E484K and S494P in the spike protein. E484K and S494P are known to significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 neutralization by convalescent and vaccinated sera and are considered as mutations of concern. Lineage B.1.1.523 presumably originated in the Russian Federation and spread across European countries with the peak of transmission in April-May 2021. The B.1.1.523 lineage has now been reported from 31 countries. In this article, we analyze the possible origin of this mutation subset and its immune response using in silico methods.

SARS-CoV-2: Two Years in the Pandemic: What Have We Observed from Genome Sequencing Results in Lithuania?

SARS-CoV-2 has spread vastly throughout the word. In this study, we focus on the patterns of spread in Lithuania. By analysing the genetically sequenced data of different lineages and their first appearances, we were able to compare the dynamics of spreading of the lineages and recognize the main possible cause. The impact of emigration patterns and international travel on the variety of lineages was also assessed. Results showed different patterns of spread, and while a vast variety of different lineages were brought in by international travel, many of the viral outbreaks were caused by local lineages. It can be concluded that international travel had the most impact on the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Circulating hsa-let-7e-5p and hsa-miR-125a-5p as Possible Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Major Depression and Bipolar Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) could play a key role in the homeostasis and development of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The present study is aimed at investigating the changes in circulating miRNA expression profiles in a plasma of patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) to distinguish and evaluate these molecules as biomarkers for mood disorders. METHODS: A study enrolled a total of 184 subjects: 74 controls, 84 MDD patients, and 26 BD patients. Small RNA sequencing revealed 11 deregulated circulating miRNAs in MDD and BD plasma, of which expression of 5, hsa-miR-139-3p, miRNAs hsa-let-7e-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-125a-5p, and hsa-miR-483-5p, were further verified using qPCR. miRNA gene expression data was evaluated alongside the data from clinical assessment questionnaires. RESULTS: hsa-let-7e-5p and hsa-miR-125a-5p were both confirmed upregulated: 0.75-fold and 0.25-fold, respectively, in the MDD group as well as 1.36-fold and 0.68-fold in the BD group. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed mediocre diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of both hsa-let-7e-5p and hsa-miR-125a-5p with approximate area under the curve (AOC) of 0.66. ROC analysis of combined miRNA and clinical assessment data showed that hsa-let-7e-5p and hsa-miR-125a-5p testing could improve MDD and BD diagnostic accuracy by approximately 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating hsa-let-7e-5 and hsa-miR-125a-5p could serve as additional peripheral biomarkers for mood disorders; however, suicidal ideation remains the major diagnostic factor for MDD and BD.