Effectiveness of a broad-spectrum bivalent mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in preclinical studies.

Vaccines utilizing modified messenger RNA (mRNA) technology have shown robust protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in humans. As the virus continues to evolve in both human and non-human hosts, risk remains that the performance of the vaccines can be compromised by new variants with strong immune escape abilities. Here we present preclinical characterizations of a novel bivalent mRNA vaccine RQ3025 for its safety and effectiveness in animal models.

Preclinical evaluation of RQ3013, a broad-spectrum mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The global emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to increasing breakthrough infections in vaccinated populations, calling for an urgent need to develop more effective and broad-spectrum vaccines to combat COVID-19. Here we report the preclinical development of RQ3013, an mRNA vaccine candidate intended to bring broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). RQ3013, which contains pseudouridine-modified mRNAs formulated in lipid nanoparticles, encodes the spike (S) protein harboring a combination of mutations responsible for immune evasion of VOCs.

Gelation of cytoplasmic expanded CAG RNA repeats suppresses global protein synthesis.

RNA molecules with the expanded CAG repeat (eCAGr) may undergo sol-gel phase transitions, but the functional impact of RNA gelation is completely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the eCAGr RNA may form cytoplasmic gel-like foci that are rapidly degraded by lysosomes. These RNA foci may significantly reduce the global protein synthesis rate, possibly by sequestering the translation elongation factor eEF2.

Optimization of Strategy for Modified mRNA Inducing Cardiac-Specific Expression in Mice.

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-coated-modified RNA(modRNA) has been developed for enhancing the stability of modRNA, but it tends to accumulate in liver. The current study aimed to optimize strategy for increasing cardiac expression efficiency of modRNA. We synthesized Luciferase (Luc)-modRNA, and also developed 122Luc modRNA, a liver silencing Luc modRNA.

Visual Detection of Water Content Range of Seabuckthorn Fruit Based on Transfer Deep Learning.

To realize the classification of sea buckthorn fruits with different water content ranges, a convolution neural network (CNN) detection model of sea buckthorn fruit water content ranges was constructed. In total, 900 images of seabuckthorn fruits with different water contents were collected from 720 seabuckthorn fruits. Eight classic network models based on deep learning were used as feature extraction for transfer learning.

Hot Air Drying of Seabuckthorn ( L.) Berries: Effects of Different Pretreatment Methods on Drying Characteristics and Quality Attributes.

Seabuckthorn berries are difficult to dry because the outermost surface is covered with a dense wax layer, which prevents moisture transfer during the drying process. In this study, uses of ultrasonic-assisted alkali (UA), pricking holes in the skin (PH) and their combination (UA + PH) as pretreatment methods prior to hot air drying and their effects on drying characteristics and quality attributes of seabuckthorn berries were investigated. Selected properties include color, microstructure, rehydration capacity, as well as total flavonoids, phenolics and ascorbic acid contents.

Impact of spectral filtering on pulse breaking-up and noise-like pulse generation in all-normal dispersion fiber lasers.

Based on mathematic simulations, the impact of spectral filtering on pulse breaking up and noise-like pulse generation in all-normal-dispersion fiber lasers are investigated. Three types of spectrum filters are employed in the simulations, which have a Gaussian-shaped profile, super-Gaussian-shaped profile, and sinusoidal-shaped profile, respectively. With the Gaussian-shaped filter, the pulse breaking-up process is discussed.

Cetaceans and microplastics: First report of microplastic ingestion by a coastal delphinid, Sousa chinensis.

In the Anthropocene, marine microplastic debris has been rapidly increasing and interacting with wildlife. As apex predators, cetaceans have been proven to be ideal sentinel species to indicate ecosystem changes and umbrella and flagship species to help develop environmental management strategies. Here, we report the presence of microplastics in the intestines of Sousa chinensis for the first time, which highlights the potential impacts of microplastic pollution in coastal environments.

Microplastic pollution in the Maowei Sea, a typical mariculture bay of China.

The ingestion of microplastics by organisms presents a potential exposure route for humans via seafood consumption. Although mariculture has become an essential source of seafood worldwide, the content of microplastics in the mariculture zone has received less scrutiny than in the wild environment. The Maowei Sea is a semi-closed bay that is rich in fishery resources.