Advances in protein subunit vaccines against H1N1/09 influenza.

The A/H1N1pdm09 influenza virus, which caused the 2009 pandemic, has since become a recurring strain in seasonal influenza outbreaks. Given the ongoing threat of influenza, protein subunit vaccines have garnered significant attention for their safety and effectiveness. This review seeks to highlight the latest developments in protein subunit vaccines that specifically target the A/H1N1pdm09 virus.

gene polymorphisms increase the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Han Chinese population.

Background: FOXP3 is a transcription factor that regulates the development and function of Treg, playing an essential role in preventing autoimmune diseases. Variation in can impair the function of Treg cells, thus destroying their inhibitory capacity and leading to autoimmune diseases. This paper investigated whether the three SNPs in the gene (-3279 C/A, -924 A/G and -6054 del/ATT) are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in the Han Chinese population.

[Advances in the application of yeast surface display technology].

Yeast surface display (YSD) is a technology that fuses the exogenous target protein gene sequence with a specific vector gene sequence, followed by introduction into yeast cells. Subsequently, the target protein is expressed and localized on the yeast cell surface by using the intracellular protein transport mechanism of yeast cells, whereas the most widely used YSD system is the α-agglutinin expression system. Yeast cells possess the eukaryotic post-translational modification mechanism, which helps the target protein fold correctly.

Identification of conserved immunogenic peptides of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.

The emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to major concern regarding the efficacy of approved vaccines. Nucleocapsid is a conserved structural protein essential for replication of the virus. This study focuses on identifying conserved epitopes on the nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Fosaprepitant Weekly vs Every 3 Weeks for the Prevention of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Unlike substantial evidence in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), research in the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is currently lacking.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of fosaprepitant weekly vs every 3 weeks for the prevention of nausea and emesis caused by CCRT among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This pilot randomized clinical trial was conducted at a single cancer center from November 24, 2020, to July 26, 2021, among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had achieved CINV control after 2 to 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy.

A novel recombinant human microplasminogen induced complete posterior vitreous detachment without morphological change of retina in juvenile rabbits.

Vitreomacular traction syndrome results from persistent vitreoretinal adhesions in the setting of partial posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Vitrectomy and reattachment of retina is an effective therapeutic approach. The adhesion between vitreous cortex and internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the retina is stronger in youth, which brings difficulties to induce PVD in vitrectomy.

Toll-like receptors 7 and 9 regulate the proliferation and differentiation of B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune illness marked by the loss of immune tolerance and the production of autoantibodies against nucleic acids and other nuclear antigens (Ags). B lymphocytes are important in the immunopathogenesis of SLE. Multiple receptors control abnormal B-cell activation in SLE patients, including intrinsic Toll-like receptors (TLRs), B-cell receptors (BCRs), and cytokine receptors.

Hyperfractionation compared with standard fractionation in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: Reirradiation in standard fractionation for locally advanced recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after a previous course of high-dose radiotherapy is often associated with substantial late toxicity, negating its overall benefit. We therefore aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of hyperfractionation compared with standard fractionation in intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Methods: This multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial was done in three centres in Guangzhou, China.

Seasonal Changes in Serum Metabolites in Multiple Sclerosis Relapse.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating chronic disease of unknown etiology. There are limited treatment options due to an incomplete understanding of disease pathology. The disease is shown to have seasonal exacerbation of clinical symptoms.

Autoreactive lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis and treatment target.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by destruction of the myelin sheath structure. The loss of myelin leads to damage of a neuron's axon and cell body, which is identified as brain lesions on magnetic resonance image (MRI). The pathogenesis of MS remains largely unknown.

RIPPA: Identification of MHC-II Binding Peptides from Antigen Using a Yeast Display-Based Approach.

Mapping MHC-II binding peptides derived from an antigenic protein for potential CD4+ T-cell epitopes has been challenging due to a lack of experimental approaches that are both quantitative and rapid. The rate-limiting steps in current approaches include the construction of single MHC allele expressing cell lines and/or the purification of the MHC-II allelic proteins for peptide elution (i.e.

Yeast display of MHC-II enables rapid identification of peptide ligands from protein antigens (RIPPA).

CD4 T cells orchestrate adaptive immune responses via binding of antigens to their receptors through specific peptide/MHC-II complexes. To study these responses, it is essential to identify protein-derived MHC-II peptide ligands that constitute epitopes for T cell recognition. However, generating cells expressing single MHC-II alleles and isolating these proteins for use in peptide elution or binding studies is time consuming.

Spatial differentiation of carbon emissions from residential energy consumption: A case study in Kaifeng, China.

Effective strategies, policies and measures for carbon emission reduction need to be developed and implemented according to good understanding of both local conditions and spatial differentiation mechanism of energy consumption associated with human activities at high resolution. In the study, we first collected statistical yearbooks, high resolution remotely sensed imageries, and 3895 usable questionnaires for the urban areas of Kaifeng; then measured the carbon emissions from household energy consumption, using the accounting method provided in the IPCC GHG Inventory Guidelines; and finally applied both exploratory and explanatory statistical methods to characterize the spatial pattern of carbon emissions at high resolution, identify key influencing factors, and gain better understanding of the spatial differentiation mechanism of urban residential carbon emissions. Our study reached the following conclusions: (1) Central heating facilities with controllable flow are important for carbon emissions reduction, but its spatial distribution shows unfairness; (2) Spatial clusters of high carbon emission areas were primarily located in the outer suburbs of the city, validated to some extent the hypothesis that urban sprawl has a driving effect on the increasing urban residential carbon emissions; (3) Factors like size of residential area, family structure, life style, personal preference and behavior rather than household income have significant impacts on household carbon emissions, implying that effective control of residential areas, promotion of family life and low-carbon lifestyle, and effective guidance of proper behaviors and preferences will play a crucial role in reducing urban residential carbon emissions; and (4) Most of the identified influencing factors exhibit clear and specific spatial patterns and gradients of impact, implying that measures for urban residential carbon emission reduction should be adapted to location conditions.

Quantitative assessment of the association between TAP2 rs241447 polymorphism and cancer risk.

The findings regarding the relation of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) to cancer risk have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the association between TAP2 rs241447 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility. A meta-analysis of nine investigations with 2800 cases and 1620 controls was conducted to gain a better understanding of the effect of TAP2 rs241447 polymorphism on cancer risk.

TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism increases susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: evidence based on 4200 subjects.

Conflicting results have been reported regarding differing studies on the association between T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 polymorphisms and autoimmune disease. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association of TIM-3 rs1036199 (4259 G/T) polymorphism with autoimmune disease susceptibility. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain a more precise evaluation of the association.

Associations of TAP1 genetic polymorphisms with atopic diseases: asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis.

Controversial findings have been reported regarding to the effect of the transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) polymorphisms exerted on the atopic diseases susceptibility. To gain a better understanding of the effects of TAP1 polymorphisms on the risk of atopic diseases, a retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the association of the most common TAP1 polymorphisms, rs1057141 and rs1135216, with the risk of atopic diseases. From studies published in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to July 2017, ten eligible studies were selected for meta-analysis.

Expression, purification and biological characterization of the extracellular domain of CD40 from Pichia pastoris.

Background: CD40, also called Bp50, is a novel member of the TNF receptor superfamily. Based on its important role in multiple physiological and pathological processes, the CD40 signaling pathway has become a vital target for treating transplantation, autoimmune diseases and cancers. This study generated a protein fragment that disrupts this signaling pathway.

High-level expression, purification, and enzymatic characterization of truncated human plasminogen (Lys531-Asn791) in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

Background: Plasmin is a serine protease that plays a critical role in fibrinolysis, which is a process that prevents blood clots from growing and becoming problematic. Recombinant human microplasminogen (rhμPlg) is a derivative of plasmin that solely consists of the catalytic domain of human plasmin and lacks the five kringle domains found in the native protein. Developing an industrial production method that provides high yields of this protein with high purity, quality, and potency is critical for preclinical research.