N6-methyladenosine RNA modification promotes Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus infection.

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV), a novel bunyavirus primarily transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis, induces severe disease with a high mortality rate. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent internal chemical modification in eukaryotic mRNA that has been reported to regulate viral infection. However, the role of m6A modification during SFTSV infection remains elusive.

The immune function of thioester-containing proteins in typical invertebrate disease vectors.

Disease vectors, such as arthropods, primarily rely on innate immunity to counteract pathogen invasions, typically through the recognition and binding of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by the host's pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). As a conserved immune effector gene family from insects to mammals, the complement system may play an essential role in combating pathogenic microorganisms. In arthropods, the complement proteins are often referred to as thioester-containing proteins (TEPs) because thioester motifs are one of the essential functional domains of the first proteins characterized within the C3 and AM family.

Harnessing ZIKV NS2A RNA for alleviating acute hepatitis and cytokine release storm by targeting translation machinery.

Background And Aims: Hyperactivated inflammatory responses induced by cytokine release syndrome are the primary causes of tissue damage and even death. The translation process is precisely regulated to control the production of proinflammatory cytokines. However, it is largely unknown whether targeting translation can effectively limit the hyperactivated inflammatory responses during acute hepatitis and graft-versus-host disease.

The ICF2 gene Zbtb24 specifically regulates the differentiation of B1 cells via promoting heme synthesis.

Background: Loss-of-function mutations of ZBTB24 cause immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies syndrome 2 (ICF2). ICF2 is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with immunological defects in serum antibodies and circulating memory B cells, resulting in recurrent and sometimes fatal respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with ICF2 indicates an essential role of ZBTB24 in the terminal differentiation of B cells.

Ubiquitination of NS1 Confers Differential Adaptation of Zika Virus in Mammalian Hosts and Mosquito Vectors.

Arboviruses, transmitted by medical arthropods, pose a serious health threat worldwide. During viral infection, Post Translational Modifications (PTMs) are present on both host and viral proteins, regulating multiple processes of the viral lifecycle. In this study, a mammalian E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2 (WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin ligase 2) is identified, which interacts with the NS1 protein of Zika virus (ZIKV) and mediates K63 and K48 ubiquitination of Lys 265 and Lys 284, respectively.

Transcriptome study reveals tick immune genes restrict Babesia microti infection.

A systems biology approach was employed to gain insight into tick biology and interactions between vectors and pathogens. Haemaphysalis longicornis serves as one of the primary vectors of Babesia microti, significantly impacting human and animal health. Obtaining more information about their relationship is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of tick and pathogen biology, pathogen transmission dynamics, and potential control strategies.

Revisiting the antigen markers of vector-borne parasitic diseases identified by immunomics: identification and application to disease control.

Introduction: Protein microarray is a promising immunomic approach for identifying biomarkers. Based on our previous study that reviewed parasite antigens and recent parasitic omics research, this article expands to include information on vector-borne parasitic diseases (VBPDs), namely, malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, babesiosis, trypanosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis.

Areas Covered: We revisit and systematically summarize antigen markers of vector-borne parasites identified by the immunomic approach and discuss the latest advances in identifying antigens for the rational development of diagnostics and vaccines.

DDX20 positively regulates the interferon pathway to inhibit viral infection.

The DEAD-box (DDX) family comprises RNA helicases characterized by the conserved sequence D(Asp)-E(Glu)-A(Ala)-D(Asp), participating in various RNA metabolism processes. Some DDX family members have been identified for their crucial roles in viral infections. In this study, RNAi library screening of the DDX family unveiled the antiviral activity of DDX20.

Housekeeping U1 snRNA facilitates antiviral innate immunity by promoting TRIM25-mediated RIG-I activation.

U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) is an abundant and evolutionarily conserved 164-nucleotide RNA species that functions in pre-mRNA splicing, and it is considered to be a housekeeping non-coding RNA. However, the role of U1 snRNA in regulating host antiviral immunity remains largely unexplored. Here, we find that RNVU1-18, a U1 pseudogene, is significantly upregulated in the host infected with RNA viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Improved Performance of QDSSCs Can Be Achieved by Constructing a Transparent Anatase TiO@MWCNT Photoanode Based on the Bionic Mountain Lotus.

In this research, the structural characteristics of the mountain holly leaf were emulated. It was observed that after the initially uneven surface of the petals is filled with infiltrated water, it exhibits a distinctive transparent beauty after rainfall. Furthermore, the presence of leaf veins enhances the structural strength of the petals and facilitates nutrient transport.

Experimental and theoretical revealing of piezo-photocatalyst BiOCO for degradation of ciprofloxacin in water.

In this report, we have attempted to experimentally and theoretically reveal a new piezo-photocatalyst BiOCO for efficient removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water. BiOCO nanoplates were synthesized to evaluate their photocatalytic (irradiation source: simulated-sunlight), piezocatalytic (irradiation source: ultrasonic) and piezo-photocatalytic (irradiation source: simulated-sunlight and ultrasonic) performances for CIP elimination. Under the condition C = 10 mg/L and C = 1 g/L, the piezo-photodegradation rate constant is obtained as k = 0.

A conserved protein of Babesia microti elicits partial protection against Babesia and Plasmodium infection.

Background: The protozoan parasite Babesia microti that causes the zoonotic disease babesiosis resides in the erythrocytes of its mammalian host during its life-cycle. No effective vaccines are currently available to prevent Babesia microti infections.

Methods: We previously identified a highly seroactive antigen, named Bm8, as a B.

Targeting Haemaphysalis longicornis serpin to prevent tick feeding and pathogen transmission.

Serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins), identified from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis of China, play significant roles in various animal physiological processes. In this study, we showed that H. longicornis serpins (Hlserpin-a and Hlserpin-b) were induced during blood-feeding in nymph ticks and exhibited anticoagulation activity in vitro.

The in vitro and in vivo antiviral effects of aloperine against Zika virus infection.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection poses a significant threat to global public health and is associated with microcephaly. There are no approved ZIKV-specific vaccines or drugs for the clinical treatment of the infection. Currently, there are no approved ZIKV-specific vaccines or drugs for the clinical treatment of the infection.

Vitamin C promotes ACE2 degradation and protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ACE2 is a major receptor for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. Despite advances in targeting ACE2 to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 binding, strategies to flexibly and sufficiently reduce ACE2 levels for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been explored. Here, we reveal vitamin C (VitC) administration as a potent strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

USP11 plays a critical role in the onset and progression of acute graft-versus-host disease：Novel target for precision therapeutics.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is considered a result of "cytokine storm." Targeted therapeutic interventions on cytokines via ubiquitination regulatory pathways may provide a potential approach for aGvHD treatment. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 11 (USP11) has been reported to play key roles in a variety of physiopathological processes by regulating the stability and function of several vital protein molecules.

Preparation of near-infrared AIEgen-active fluorescent probes for mapping amyloid-β plaques in brain tissues and living mice.

Fibrillar aggregates of the amyloid-β protein (Aβ) are the main component of the senile plaques found in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Development of probes allowing the noninvasive and high-fidelity mapping of Aβ plaques in vivo is critical for AD early detection, drug screening and biomedical research. QM-FN-SO (quinoline-malononitrile-thiophene-(dimethylamino)phenylsulfonate) is a near-infrared aggregation-induced-emission-active fluorescent probe capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and ultrasensitively lighting up Aβ plaques in living mice.

Immune functions of C-type lectins in medical arthropods.

C-type lectins (CTLs) are a family of proteins that contain 1 or more carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) and bind to a broad repertoire of ligands in the presence of calcium ions. CTLs play important roles in innate immune defenses against microorganisms by acting as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) for invading pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. After binding to pathogen-associated ligands, CTLs mediate immune responses, such as agglutination, phagocytosis, and the activation of phenol oxidase progenitors, thereby clearing pathogens.

Protein Acetylation Going Viral: Implications in Antiviral Immunity and Viral Infection.

During viral infection, both host and viral proteins undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, methylation, and acetylation, which play critical roles in viral replication, pathogenesis, and host antiviral responses. Protein acetylation is one of the most important PTMs and is catalyzed by a series of acetyltransferases that divert acetyl groups from acetylated molecules to specific amino acid residues of substrates, affecting chromatin structure, transcription, and signal transduction, thereby participating in the cell cycle as well as in metabolic and other cellular processes. Acetylation of host and viral proteins has emerging roles in the processes of virus adsorption, invasion, synthesis, assembly, and release as well as in host antiviral responses.

A cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide from Hydrophis cyanocinctus inhibits Zika virus infection by downregulating expression of a viral entry factor.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging flavivirus that causes conditions such as microcephaly and testis damage. The spread of ZIKV has become a major public health concern. Recent studies indicated that antimicrobial peptides are an ideal source for screening antiviral candidates with broad-spectrum antiviral activities, including against ZIKV.

Real-world comparison of fidaxomicin versus vancomycin or metronidazole in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: There is a lack of real-world evidence of the comparative effectiveness of fidaxomicin versus vancomycin or metronidazole for treating patients with Clostridium difficile (CDI) infection. No systematic evidence comparing these treatment regimens using real-world observational studies was published up to date. The goal of this study is to compare the fidaxomicin and vancomycin/metronidazole regimens in terms of treatment outcomes in CDI patients.

Matrix metalloproteinase 3 restricts viral infection by enhancing host antiviral immunity.

Viral pandemics pose great threats to human health and the economy. The host evolved a complex immune response against viral infection. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), also known as stromelysin-1, has an emerging role in immune regulation during pathogen infection.

Defensins as a promising class of tick antimicrobial peptides: a scoping review.

Background: Ticks are hematophagous parasites that transmit an extensive range of pathogens to their vertebrate hosts. Ticks can destroy invading microorganisms or alleviate infection via their rudimentary but orchestrated innate immune system. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of tick innate immunity.