Geobacter sulfurreducens strain 60473, a potent bioaugmentation agent for improving the performances of bioelectrochemical systems.

Bioaugmentation with electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) has been suggested useful for improving the performance of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) for sustainable energy generation, while its success is dependent on EAB introduced into the systems. Here we report on the isolation of a novel EAB, Geobacter sulfurreducens strain 60473, from microbes that colonized on an anode of a sediment microbial fuel cell. This strain is highly adhesive to graphite electrodes, forms dense biofilms on electrode surfaces, and generates high current densities in BESs.

Transmission of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus to Human from Nonindigenous Tick Host, Japan.

We report a human case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection transmitted by a tick, confirmed by viral identification. Haemaphysalis aborensis, a tick species not native to Japan that has been observed to transmit the virus to humans, is now recognized as a potential vector of this virus in Japan.

Naphthalen-1-ylethanamine-containing small molecule inhibitors of the papain-like protease of SARS-CoV-2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has not yet been eradicated. SARS-CoV-2 has two types of proteases, a main protease (M) and a papain-like protease (PL), which together process two translated non-structural polyproteins, pp1a and pp1ab, to produce functional viral proteins. In this study, effective inhibitors against PL of SARS-CoV-2 were designed and synthesized using GRL-0048 as a lead.

[Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Valve Infective Endocarditis Complicated by Septic Arthritis of the Sternoclavicular Joint:Report of a Case].

A 54-year-old man with a history of atopic dermatitis was admitted to our hospital for persistent fever and multiple arthralgias unresponsive to antibiotics. On the second day of hospitalization, Staphylococcus aureus was detected in the blood culture, and debridement for presumed pyogenic arthritis was performed on the patient's bilateral wrists and right ankle joints. Echocardiography showed evidence of infective endocarditis of the aortic valve.

Performance of Fujifilm Dengue NS1 Antigen Rapid Diagnosis Kit Compared to Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. About half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue, which represents a global public health concern, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Early detection of the viral infection is crucial to manage the disease; hence, effective rapid diagnostic tests are essential.

Circulating serotypes and genotypes of dengue virus during the 2023 outbreak in Eastern Nepal.

Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most significant mosquito-borne diseases in Nepal. In 2023, DENV outbreaks began in Eastern Nepal, near the border with India, and rapidly spread nationwide. The study aims to describe the outbreak's epidemiological pattern, laboratory characteristics, DENV serotypes, and genotypes.

Clinical Factors Associated with SFTS Diagnosis and Severity in Cats.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a potentially fatal tick-borne zoonosis caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). In addition to tick bites, animal-to-human transmission of SFTSV has been reported, but little is known about feline SFTSV infection. In this study, we analyzed data on 187 cats with suspected SFTS to identify biomarkers for SFTS diagnosis and clinical outcome.

The Development of New Primer Sets for the Amplification and Sequencing of the Envelope Gene of All Dengue Virus Serotypes.

Dengue virus (DENV) poses a significant threat to global health, infecting approximately 390 million people annually. This virus comprises four serotypes capable of causing severe disease. Genetic analyses are crucial for understanding the epidemiology, evolution, and spread of DENV.

Possible vertical transmission of Chikungunya virus infection detected in the cord blood samples from a birth cohort in Vietnam.

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus (genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae) that is primarily transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, and can be transmitted from mother to child. Little is known about CHIKV transmission in Vietnam, where dengue is endemic and Aedes mosquitoes are abundant. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of vertical CHIKV infection in a birth cohort, and seroprevalence of anti-CHIKV antibodies with or without confirmation by neutralization tests among women bearing children in Vietnam.

Molecular and Entomological Characterization of 2023 Dengue Outbreak in Dhading District, Central Nepal.

In 2023, Nepal faced its second largest dengue outbreak ever, following a record-breaking number of dengue cases in 2022, characterized by the expansion of infections into areas of higher altitudes. However, the characteristics of the 2023 circulating dengue virus (DENV) and the vector density remain poorly understood. Therefore, we performed DENV serotyping, clinical and laboratory assessment, and entomological analysis of the 2023 outbreak in central Nepal.

Exploration of P1 and P4 modifications of nirmatrelvir: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and X-ray structural studies of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.

We report the synthesis, biological evaluation, and X-ray structural studies of a series of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors based upon the X-ray crystal structure of nirmatrelvir, an FDA approved drug that targets the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. The studies involved examination of various P4 moieties, P1 five- and six-membered lactam rings to improve potency. In particular, the six-membered P1 lactam ring analogs exhibited high SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitory activity.

A Novel, Comprehensive A129 Mouse Model for Investigating Dengue Vaccines and Evaluating Pathogenesis.

In search of a mouse model for use in evaluating dengue vaccines, we assessed A129 mice that lacked IFN-α/β receptors, rendering them susceptible to dengue virus (DENV) infection. To our knowledge, no reports have evaluated dengue vaccine efficiency using A129 mice. A129 mice were given a single intraperitoneal (IP) or subcutaneous (SC) injection of the vaccine, Dengvaxia.

Role of pre-existing immunity in driving the dengue virus serotype 2 genotype shift in the Philippines: A retrospective analysis of serological data.

Objective: The invasion of dengue virus (DENV)-2 Cosmopolitan genotype into the Philippines, where the Asian II genotype previously circulated challenges the principle of dengue serotype-specific immunity. Assessment of antibodies in this population may provide a mechanistic basis for how new genotypes emerge in dengue-endemic areas.

Methods: We evaluated the neutralizing antibody (nAb) and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) responses against the two genotypes using archived serum samples collected from 333 patients with confirmed dengue in Metro Manila, Philippines, before, during, and after the introduction of the Cosmopolitan genotype.

Mutations in the 3' non-coding region of a no-known vector flavivirus Yokose virus increased its replication ability in mosquito C6/36 cells.

Yokose virus (YOKV) is a bat-associated no-known vector flavivirus group member. We investigated the replication ability of YOKV in mosquito-derived C6/36 cells. YOKV grew in C6/36 cells, but its kinetics of YOKV was markedly slower than those of other mosquito-borne flaviviruses.

Serological and Molecular Epidemiology of Chikungunya Virus Infection in Vietnam, 2017-2019.

Chikungunya fever is an acute febrile illness caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Since 1965, only a few studies with limited scope have been conducted on CHIKV in Vietnam. Thus, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of CHIKV infection among febrile patients in Vietnam from 2017 to 2019.

Highlights of the 14th Japan Bioanalysis Forum Symposium.

The 14th Japan Bioanalysis Forum Symposium was held at Tower Hall Funabori, Japan from 1-3 March 2023. The conference theme, 'Bringing Together - the Expertise of Bioanalysis', aimed to enable people from various fields to gather, learn and collaborate together for the common goal of delivering medicines to patients faster. Approximately 360 participants from various fields, including pharmaceutical industries, contractors, academia and regulatory authorities, gathered at an in-person symposium which had an online participation option, for the first time in 4 years.

Clinical, Virological, and Immunological Features in Cosmopolitan Genotype DENV-2-Infected Patients during a Large Dengue Outbreak in Sri Lanka in 2017.

In 2017, Sri Lanka experienced its largest dengue epidemic and reported severe and unusual presentations of dengue with high morbidity. This outbreak was associated with the reemergence of dengue virus-2 (DENV-2), with the responsible strain identified as a variant of the previously circulating DENV-2 cosmopolitan genotype. In this study, we characterized the DENV-2 cosmopolitan genotype from patients during this epidemic.

Burden of Chikungunya Virus Infection during an Outbreak in Myanmar.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is a re-emerging arboviral disease with no approved vaccine, although numerous options are in development. Before vaccine implementation, disease burden, affected age group, and hospitalization rate information should be documented. In 2019, a sizeable outbreak of the East Central South African genotype of CHIKV occurred in Myanmar, and during this period, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two regions, Mandalay and Yangon, to examine the molecular and seropositivity rate of the CHIKV infection.