Early fusion intermediate of ACE2-using coronavirus spike acting as an antiviral target.

Coronavirus fusion with and entry into the host cell depends on viral spike, which acts as a crucial component of viral infection. However, the lack of receptor-activated spike intermediate conformation has hindered a comprehensive understanding of spike-induced membrane fusion. Here, we captured an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-induced early fusion intermediate conformation (E-FIC) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike in which heptad repeat 1 (HR1) in S2 has ejected while S1 remains attached.

Dynamic molecular architecture and substrate recruitment of cullin3-RING E3 ligase CRL3.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase α, a heterodimer of catalytic p110α and one of five regulatory subunits, mediates insulin- and insulin like growth factor-signaling and, frequently, oncogenesis. Cellular levels of the regulatory p85α subunit are tightly controlled by regulated proteasomal degradation. In adipose tissue and growth plates, failure of K48-linked p85α ubiquitination causes diabetes, lipodystrophy and dwarfism in mice, as in humans with SHORT syndrome.

Structure-based discovery of dual pathway inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 entry.

Since 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved rapidly and gained resistance to multiple therapeutics targeting the virus. Development of host-directed antivirals offers broad-spectrum intervention against different variants of concern. Host proteases, TMPRSS2 and CTSL/CTSB cleave the SARS-CoV-2 spike to play a crucial role in the two alternative pathways of viral entry and are characterized as promising pharmacological targets.

Asymmetric pendrin homodimer reveals its molecular mechanism as anion exchanger.

Pendrin (SLC26A4) is an anion exchanger expressed in the apical membranes of selected epithelia. Pendrin ablation causes Pendred syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with sensorineural hearing loss, hypothyroid goiter, and reduced blood pressure. However its molecular structure has remained unknown, limiting our understanding of the structural basis of transport.

Fortuitous somatic mutations during antibody evolution endow broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants.

Striking antibody evasion by emerging circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants drives the identification of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). However, how a bNAb acquires increased neutralization breadth during antibody evolution is still elusive. Here, we identify a clonally related antibody family from a convalescent individual.

Diagnostic value of curved planar reformation of MRI for lumbosacral nerve roots in the localization of nerve roots for adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic value of curved planar reformation of MRI (MRI-CPR) and 2D MRI in determining the responsible nerve in patients with adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis (ALDS).

Method: A total of 45 patients diagnosed with ALDS were included in the study. All patients underwent MRI-CPR and 2D MRI and subsequently received surgery.

Fortuitous Somatic Mutations during Antibody Evolution Endow Broad Neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants.

Striking antibody evasion by emerging circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants drives the identification of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). However, how a bNAb acquires increased neutralization breadth during antibody evolution is still elusive. Here, we identified a clonally-related antibody family from a convalescent individual.

Structural Study of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Identifies a Broad-Spectrum Antibody That Neutralizes the Omicron Variant by Disassembling the Spike Trimer.

The continuous emergence of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants poses new challenges in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The newly emerging Omicron strain caused serious immune escape and raised unprecedented concern all over the world. The development of an antibody targeting a conserved and universal epitope is urgently needed.

An ultrapotent pan-β-coronavirus lineage B (β-CoV-B) neutralizing antibody locks the receptor-binding domain in closed conformation by targeting its conserved epitope.

New threats posed by the emerging circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 highlight the need to find conserved neutralizing epitopes for therapeutic antibodies and efficient vaccine design. Here, we identified a receptor-binding domain (RBD)-binding antibody, XG014, which potently neutralizes β-coronavirus lineage B (β-CoV-B), including SARS-CoV-2, its circulating variants, SARS-CoV and bat SARSr-CoV WIV1. Interestingly, antibody family members competing with XG014 binding show reduced levels of cross-reactivity and induce antibody-dependent SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-mediated cell-cell fusion, suggesting a unique mode of recognition by XG014.

Controlling upconversion luminescence patterns in space with red emission enhancement from a single fluoride microcrystal by tuning the excitation mode.

The ability to control the upconversion (UC) luminescence patterns in space from lanthanide-doped UC luminescence materials is very important for many applications including three-dimensional color displays, optical waveguides and optical communication. In this work, the fascinating UC luminescence patterns could be adjusted from the blue or green flower-like emission pattern to the red flame-like irradiation pattern with a red luminescence enhancement from a single β-NaYF:Yb/(Tm or Er) microcrystal (MC) by varying the excitation position. The red-to-blue (R/B) and the red-to-green (R/G) emission intensity ratios from the single MC particle that the focal point position of excitation NIR laser is on the side lace are much stronger than that in the case of the focused laser beam on the center.

[Relationship between current smoking behaviors and household characteristics in Guangdong].

Objective: To disclose the relationship between current smoking behaviors and household characteristics among adults in Guangdong, in order to provide scientific evidence for household tobacco control strategy.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among the adults sampled by four-stage randomized cluster sampling in ten districts of five cities in Guangdong from September to November, 2010. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, smoking behaviors and smoking-related household characteristics.

[Design of airborne dual channel ultraviolet-visible imaging spectrometer with large field of view, wide spectrum, and high resolution].

The ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis 200-500 nm) imaging spectrometer is an important part of space remote sensing. Based on special requirements and practical application of the airborne UV-VIS spectrometer, a kind of scanning imaging spectrometer using area array CCD is proposed, which can meet the application requirements of large field of view, wide spectrum and high resolution. It overcomes low spatial resolution of traditional line array CCD scanning imaging spectrometer, and limited field of view of the pushbroom imaging spectrometer.

[Promoting of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in radial critical bone defect regions of rabbits with nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen/PLA scaffolds plus endothelial progenitor cells].

Objective: To explore the roles of nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen/PLA (nHAC/PLA) plus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in repairing segmental bone defects of rabbit radius and enhancing angiogenesis and new bone formation.

Methods: EPCs isolated from New Zealand white rabbit bone marrow were cultured, identified and seeded into nHAC/PLA scaffolds. And the growth of EPCs in scaffolds was observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in a boarding school: serological analysis of 1570 cases.

Background: A large number of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infections were localized in school populations.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors associated with an outbreak that occurred at a vocational boarding school in Guangzhou, P.R.

[Needs on information related to influenza pandemic by the public].

Objective: To understand the information needs on human infection with avian influenza (H5N1), A (H1N1) and influenza pandemic in different time periods and create well-targeted messages by the public, so as to develop communication with the public effectively when human infection with avian influenza (H5N1), A (H1N1) and influenza pandemic occur.

Methods: Data were collected through questionnaire over telephone calls. The questionnaire was self-designed, revised after pilot testing.

[Risk assessment of H5N1 human infection after an outbreak of avian influenza in water fowl].

Objective: To evaluate the risk of human infection after the outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 in animals, and probe the possibility for virus transmission.

Methods: By means of field epidemiological study, molecular epidemiology, serology and emergency surveillance, persons who had ever closely contacted with sick or dead poultry were observed. While, the RT-PCR and gene sequencing method were used to detect H5 nucleic acid from environmental swabs from 4 epidemic spots, and hemagglutination inhibition assay was also used to detect H5 antibody.

Germline splicing mutations of CDKN2A predispose to melanoma.

Coding mutations of the CDKN2A gene on chromosome 9p21 cosegregate with 25-60% of familial melanoma cases, but there remains a number of 9p21-linked kindreds that lack germline coding mutations of CDKN2A. We sequenced CDKN2A exons 1alpha, 2, 3, and the adjacent intronic regions in 167 melanoma-prone families (at least two affected first-degree relatives), and detected four splice site variations, three of which cosegregate with the disease. RT-PCR experiments verified that these three variants, including an AGgt to ATgt mutation that demonstrates a founder effect, do affect splicing.