A framework for predicting potential host ranges of pathogenic viruses based on receptor ortholog analysis

Viral zoonoses are a serious threat to public health and global security, as reflected by the current scenario of the growing number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases. However, as pathogenic viruses are highly diverse, identification of their host ranges remains a major challenge. Here, we present a combined computational and experimental framework, called REceptor ortholog-based POtential virus hoST prediction (REPOST), for the prediction of potential virus hosts. REPOST first selects orthologs from a diverse species by identity and phylogenetic analyses. Secondly, these orthologs is classified preliminarily as permissive or non-permissive type by infection experiments. Then, key residues are identified by comparing permissive and non-permissive orthologs. Finally, potential virus hosts are predicted by a key residue-specific weighted module. We performed REPOST on SARS-CoV-2 by studying angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 orthologs from 287 vertebrate animals. REPOST efficiently narrowed the range of potential virus host species (with 95.74% accuracy).

Establishment of rat model of syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and primary study using metabonomics / 中华中医药杂志

Objective:To establish and validate the rat model of syndrome of stagnation of liver qi,followed by a primary study on this model with 1H NMR based on metabonomics to explore the essence of syndrome of stagnation of liver qi. Methods:Twelve Wistar male rats were randomly divided into two groups(model group and control group).The rats of model group were restrained by special equipment for 21 days to get into stagnation of liver qi.The behavior,fluid consumption test and plasma CORT of rats were recorded.At 22th day,animals were sacrificed and biopsies of gastric mucosa and adrenal gland were collected for pathological check,and serum samples for 1H NMR spectroscopy.The NMR data were analyzed using principal component analysis.Results:There were abnormal behaviors,such as decrease of elusion,slackness,looser stools,and matte fur were observed among model group rats.After one week the body weight of model group was significantly lower than that of control group(P