Sequential immunizations confer cross-protection against variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron in Rhesus macaques.

Variants of concern (VOCs) like Delta and Omicron, harbor a high number of mutations, which aid these viruses in escaping a majority of known SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). In this study, Rhesus macaques immunized with 2-dose inactivated vaccines (Coronavac) were boosted with an additional dose of homologous vaccine or an RBD-subunit vaccine, or a bivalent inactivated vaccine (Beta and Delta) to determine the effectiveness of sequential immunization. The booster vaccination significantly enhanced the duration and levels of neutralizing antibody titers against wild-type, Beta, Delta, and Omicron.

Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on aortic atherosclerotic plaque in a high-fat diet rabbit model.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a complex disease caused in part by dyslipidemia and chronic inflammation. AS is associated with serious cardiovascular disease and remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have evolved as an attractive therapeutic agent in various diseases including AS.

Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids and polysaccharides attenuate atherosclerotic plaque in high-fat diet rabbits.

Background And Aims: Atherosclerosis is characterized by lipid deposition, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the arterial intima. Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) and polysaccharides (GLPs) are traditional Chinese medicines with potential cardiovascular benefits. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effect of GLTs and GLPs on atherosclerosis and the associated underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.

A glance at the gut microbiota of five experimental animal species through fecal samples.

Experimental animals including the ferret, marmoset, woodchuck, mini pig, and tree shrew have been used in biomedical research. However, their gut microbiota have not been fully investigated. In this study, the gut microbiota of these five experimental animals were analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing.