Identification of a broad-inhibition influenza neuraminidase antibody from pre-existing memory B cells.

Identifying broadly reactive B precursor cells and conserved epitopes is crucial for developing a universal flu vaccine. In this study, using influenza neuraminidase (NA) mutant probes, we find that human pre-existing NA-specific memory B cells (MBCs) account for ∼0.25% of total MBCs, which are heterogeneous and dominated by class-unswitched MBCs.

A broad-spectrum vaccine candidate against H5 viruses bearing different sub-clade 2.3.4.4 HA genes.

The global spread of H5 clade 2.3.4.

The V223I substitution in hemagglutinin reduces the binding affinity to human-type receptors while enhancing the thermal stability of the H3N2 canine influenza virus.

Given the intimate relationship between humans and dogs, the H3N2 canine influenza viruses (CIVs) pose a threat to public health. In our study, we isolated four H3N2 CIVs from 3,758 dog nasal swabs in China between 2018 and 2020, followed by genetic and biological analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 15 genotypes among all available H3N2 CIVs, with genotype 15 prevailing among dogs since around 2017, indicating the establishment of a stable virus lineage in dogs.

Does pasteurization inactivate bird flu virus in milk?

Recently, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), which carries the clade 2.3.4.

On-Site and Visual Detection of the H5 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus Based on RT-RPA and CRISPR/Cas12a.

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) of the H5 subtype rank among the most serious pathogens, leading to significant economic losses in the global poultry industry and posing risks to human health. Therefore, rapid and accurate virus detection is crucial for the prevention and control of H5 AIVs. In this study, we established a novel detection method for H5 viruses by utilizing the precision of CRISPR/Cas12a and the efficiency of RT-RPA technologies.

Influenza A virus infection disrupts the function of syncytiotrophoblast cells and contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Pregnancy heightens susceptibility to influenza A virus (IAV) infection, thereby increasing the risk of severe pneumonia and maternal mortality. It also raises the chances of adverse outcomes in offspring, such as fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth in offsprings. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these effects remain largely unknown.

Impairment of Left Ventricular Function in the Depressed Chinese Miniature Swine Model by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature-Tracking: A Preliminary Study.

Purpose: Individuals with depression have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and more often have a poor prognosis with cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the impact of depression on Left Ventricular (LV) alterations using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Featuretracking (CMR-FT).

Methods: Seven anesthetized, healthy Chinese miniature swine were included in the study.

Evolution of H7N9 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the context of vaccination.

Human infections with the H7N9 influenza virus have been eliminated in China through vaccination of poultry; however, the H7N9 virus has not yet been eradicated from poultry. Carefully analysis of H7N9 viruses in poultry that have sub-optimal immunity may provide a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the context of vaccination. Between January 2020 and June 2023, we isolated 16 H7N9 viruses from samples we collected during surveillance and samples that were sent to us for disease diagnosis.

Myocardial deformation characteristics assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking in a healthy Chinese population.

Purpose: To explore global/regional myocardial deformation across various layers, vascular distributions, specific levels and distinct walls in healthy individuals using cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT).

Methods: We selected a cohort of 55 healthy participants and CMR cine images were used to obtain the left ventricular (LV) peak longitudinal, circumferential, radial strains (LS, CS, RS). The characteristics of normal LV strain in various layers (endocardium, myocardium, epicardium), territories [left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA)], levels (basal, middle, apical) and walls (anterior, septum, inferior, lateral) were compared.

Assessment of the antigenic evolution of a clade 6B.1 human H1N1pdm influenza virus revealed differences between ferret and human convalescent sera.

Background: Influenza viruses continually acquire mutations in the antigenic epitopes of their major viral antigen, the surface glycoprotein haemagglutinin (HA), allowing evasion from immunity in humans induced upon prior influenza virus infections or vaccinations. Consequently, the influenza strains used for vaccine production must be updated frequently.

Methods: To better understand the antigenic evolution of influenza viruses, we introduced random mutations into the HA head region (where the immunodominant epitopes are located) of a pandemic H1N1 (H1N1pdm) virus from 2015 and incubated it with various human sera collected in 2015-2016.

From Short- to Long-Range Chiral Recognition on Surfaces: Chiral Assembly and Synthesis.

Research on chiral behaviors of small organic molecules at solid surfaces, including chiral assembly and synthesis, can not only help unravel the origin of the chiral phenomenon in biological/chemical systems but also provide promising strategies to build up unprecedented chiral surfaces or nanoarchitectures with advanced applications in novel nanomaterials/nanodevices. Understanding how molecular chirality is recognized is considered to be a mandatory basis for such studies. In this review, a series of recent studies in chiral assembly and synthesis at well-defined metal surfaces under ultra-high vacuum conditions are outlined.

Key Amino Acid Residues That Determine the Antigenic Properties of Highly Pathogenic H5 Influenza Viruses Bearing the Clade 2.3.4.4 Hemagglutinin Gene.

The H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses bearing the clade 2.3.4.

Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction via cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking.

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) has been suggested to be one of the pathologic mechanisms contributing to heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. We therefore aimed to evaluate LV diastolic function in patients with CMD using cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 115 patients referred to cardiology clinics for chest pain assessment who subsequently underwent coronary computed tomography angiogram and stress perfusion CMR.

Influenza H3 hemagglutinin vaccine with scrambled immunodominant epitopes elicits antibodies directed toward immunosubdominant head epitopes.

Vaccination is the most effective countermeasure to reduce the severity of influenza. Current seasonal influenza vaccines mainly elicit humoral immunity targeting hemagglutinin (HA). In particular, the amino acid residues around the receptor-binding site in the HA head domain are predominantly targeted by humoral immunity as "immunodominant" epitopes.

The SUMO-interacting motif in NS2 promotes adaptation of avian influenza virus to mammals.

Species differences in the host factor ANP32A/B result in the restriction of avian influenza virus polymerase (vPol) in mammalian cells. Efficient replication of avian influenza viruses in mammalian cells often requires adaptive mutations, such as PB2-E627K, to enable the virus to use mammalian ANP32A/B. However, the molecular basis for the productive replication of avian influenza viruses without prior adaptation in mammals remains poorly understood.

Highly Selective On-Surface Reactions of Aryl Propiolic Acids via Decarboxylative Coupling.

Aryl propiolic acids are introduced as a new class of monomers in the field of on-surface chemistry to build up poly(arylenebutadiynylenes) through decarboxylative Glaser coupling. As compared to aryl alkynes that are routinely used in the on-surface Glaser coupling, it is found that the decarboxylative coupling occurs at slightly lower temperature and with excellent selectivity. Activation occurs through decarboxylation for the propiolic acids, whereas the classical Glaser coupling is achieved through alkyne CH activation, and this process shows poor selectivity.

HbA1c is related to microcirculation blood perfusion in patients with coronary microvascular disease using stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance: An observational study.

Background: In coronary microvascular disease (CMD) patients, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) ≤ 1.47 is three times higher than that in MPRI > 1.47.

Genetic analysis and biological characterization of H10N3 influenza A viruses isolated in China from 2014 to 2021.

The H10 subtypes of avian influenza viruses pose a continual threat to the poultry industry and human health. The sporadic spillover of H10 subtypes viruses from poultry to humans is represented by the H10N8 human cases in 2013 and the recent H10N3 human infection in 2021. However, the genesis and characteristics of the recent reassortment H10N3 viruses have not been systemically investigated.

Influenza Viruses Suitable for Studies in Syrian Hamsters.

Several small animal models, including mice, Syrian hamsters, guinea pigs, and ferrets are used to study the pathogenicity, transmissibility, and antigenicity of seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. Moreover, animal models are essential for vaccination and challenge studies to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of new vaccines. However, authentic human influenza viruses do not always replicate efficiently in these animal models.

ARNT Inhibits H5N1 Influenza A Virus Replication by Interacting with the PA Protein.

Increasing evidence suggests that the polymerase acidic (PA) protein of influenza A viruses plays an important role in viral replication and pathogenicity. However, information regarding the interaction(s) of host factors with PA is scarce. By using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified a novel host factor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), that interacts with the PA protein of the H5N1 virus.

Global dissemination of H5N1 influenza viruses bearing the clade 2.3.4.4b HA gene and biologic analysis of the ones detected in China.

H5N1 avian influenza viruses bearing the clade 2.3.4.