Local-non-local complementary learning network for 3D point cloud analysis.

Point cloud analysis is integral to numerous applications, including mapping and autonomous driving. However, the unstructured and disordered nature of point clouds presents significant challenges for feature extraction. While both local and non-local features are essential for effective 3D point cloud analysis, existing methods often fail to seamlessly integrate these complementary features.

Echistatin/BYL-719 impedes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica through modulation of the Integrin β1/ILK/PI3K signaling pathway.

Silicosis is a chronic fibroproliferative lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of crystalline silica dust, characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Currently, there are no effective treatments available. Recent research suggests that the Integrin β1/ILK/PI3K signaling pathway may be associated with the pathogenesis of silicosis fibrosis.

The role of sex hormones and receptors in HBV infection and development of HBV-related HCC.

Gender disparity in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases has been extensively documented. Epidemiological studies consistently reported that males have a higher prevalence of HBV infection and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further investigations have revealed that sex hormone-related signal transductions play a significant role in gender disparity.

Posttranslational modifications of ACE2 protein: Implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and beyond.

The present worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the important function of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry. A deeper understanding of ACE2 could offer insights into the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. While ACE2 is subject to regulation by various factors in vivo, current research in this area is insufficient to fully elucidate the corresponding pathways of control.

CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib promotes SARS-CoV-2 cell entry by down-regulating SKP2 dependent ACE2 degradation.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has become a global pandemic. CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib was reported to be one of the top-scored repurposed drugs to treat COVID-19. As the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry, expression level of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is closely related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Circulating immune complexes and mutations of HBsAg are associated with the undetectable HBsAg in anti-HBs and HBeAg positive occult hepatitis B virus infection.

Introduction: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is an HBsAg negative state in HBV infection with usually inactive HBV replication. However, there were a minority of individuals with positive HBeAg and anti-HBs among OBI blood donors and few studies have focused on this unusual serological pattern.

Methods: 2022 plasma of blood donors that preliminary screened reactive for HBV DNA and non-reactive for HBsAg were collected from 16 provinces in China from 2015 to 2018.

Role of S protein transmembrane domain mutations in the development of occult hepatitis B virus infection.

Occult HBV infection (OBI) is a special infection status during Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The underlying mechanism of its occurrence remains unclear. This study conducted sequencing analysis on 104 OBI plasma samples and 524 HBsAg positive samples from 29 blood centres, and searched for high-frequency mutations in transmembrane domain (TMD) of S protein in the OBI population.

Seroepidemiologic study on convalescent sera from dengue fever patients in Jinghong, Yunnan.

After dengue virus (DENV) infection, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is easy to occur when the neutralizing antibody (NAb) gradually decreases to a sub-neutralizing concentration. In this cohort surveillance, we utilized sera samples collected from dengue fever patients at different convalescent phases in Jinghong City, to investigate the dynamic change rule of DENV-specific antibodies, and to analyze the risk of ADE caused by secondary infection with heterologous serotypes DENVs. For baseline serosurvey, 191 four-year and 99 six-year sera samples during convalescence were collected in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Long-Term Protection Elicited by a DNA Vaccine Candidate Expressing the prM-E Antigen of Dengue Virus Serotype 3 in Mice.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the causative agent of dengue, and its incidence has increased 30-fold in the past five decades. Among the four cocirculating serotypes, DENV3 is associated with an increased number of severe infections and has become widespread. Vaccination is the mainstay of prevention in reducing disease burden.

Cross-Protection Against Four Serotypes of Dengue Virus in Mice Conferred by a Zika DNA Vaccine.

Both Zika virus (ZIKV) and four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1-4) are antigenically related mosquito-borne flaviviruses that co-circulate in overlapping geographic distributions. The considerable amino acid sequence homology and structural similarities between ZIKV and DENV1-4 may be responsible for the complicated immunological cross-reactivity observed for these viruses. Thus, a successful Zika vaccine needs to not only confer protection from ZIKV infection but must also be safe during secondary exposures with other flavivirus, especially DENVs.

Vaccination With a Single Consensus Envelope Protein Ectodomain Sequence Administered in a Heterologous Regimen Induces Tetravalent Immune Responses and Protection Against Dengue Viruses in Mice.

The development of a safe and effective tetravalent dengue vaccine that elicits protection against all dengue virus (DENV) serotypes is urgently needed. The consensus sequence of the ectodomain of envelope (E) protein of DENV (cE80) has been examined as an immunogen previously. In the current study, a cE80 DNA (D) vaccine was constructed and evaluated in conjunction with the cE80 protein (P) vaccine to examine whether both vaccines used together can further improve the immune responses.

Electroporation-Mediated Immunization of a Candidate DNA Vaccine Expressing Dengue Virus Serotype 4 prM-E Antigen Confers Long-Term Protection in Mice.

Dengue fever, caused by dengue viruses (DENVs), is a widespread mosquito-borne zoonotic disease; however, there is no available anti-dengue vaccine for worldwide use. In the current study, a DNA vaccine candidate (pV-D4ME) expressing prM-E protein of DENV serotype 4 (DENV-4) was constructed, and its immunogenicity and protection were evaluated in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. The pV-D4ME candidate vaccine induced effective humoral and cellular immunity of mice against DENV-4 in vivo when administered both at 50 μg and 5 μg through electroporation.

Maternal immunization with a DNA vaccine candidate elicits specific passive protection against post-natal Zika virus infection in immunocompetent BALB/c mice.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is closely associated in the fetus with microcephaly and in the adults with Guillain-Barré syndrome and even male infertility. It is an urgent international priority to develop a safe and effective vaccine that offers protection to both women of childbearing age and their children. In this study, female immunocompetent BALB/c mice were immunized with a DNA-based vaccine candidate, pVAX1-ZME, expressing the prM/E protein of ZIKV, and the immunogenicity for maternal mice and the post-natal protection for suckling mice were evaluated.

Axl is not an indispensable factor for Zika virus infection in mice.

Recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak has been associated with a sharp increase in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome and severe fetal abnormalities. However, the mechanism underlying the interaction of ZIKV with host cells is not yet clear. Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is postulated as a receptor for ZIKV entry; however, its in vivo role during ZIKV infection and its impact on the outcome of the disease have not been fully characterized and evaluated.

Effective Protection Induced by a Monovalent DNA Vaccine against Dengue Virus (DV) Serotype 1 and a Bivalent DNA Vaccine against DV1 and DV2 in Mice.

Dengue virus (DV) is the causal pathogen of dengue fever, which is one of the most rapidly spread mosquito-borne disease worldwide and has become a severe public health problem. Currently, there is no specific treatment for dengue; thus, a vaccine would be an effective countermeasure to reduce the morbidity and mortality. Although, the chimeric Yellow fever dengue tetravalent vaccine has been approved in some countries, it is still necessary to develop safer, more effective, and less costly vaccines.

Immunization with electroporation enhances the protective effect of a DNA vaccine candidate expressing prME antigen against dengue virus serotype 2 infection.

Purpose: We aimed to use the dengue virus (DV) serotype 2 as a proof of principal for testing the efficacy of a DNA vaccine candidate via in vivo electroporation in mice and rabbits prior to the development of a tetravalent vaccine.

Methods: Different dosages of DNA pVAX1-D2ME encoding DV2 prME genes were vaccinated in mice via intramuscular injection or in vivo electroporation, immune responses and protection were determined. In DNA-vaccinated rabbits via electroporation, antibody titer and protein expression were tested.