An acute respiratory disease, caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout China and received worldwide ...attention. On 30 January 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the COVID-19 epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, marked the third introduction of a highly pathogenic and large-scale epidemic coronavirus into the human population in the twenty-first century. As of 1 March 2020, a total of 87,137 confirmed cases globally, 79,968 confirmed in China and 7169 outside of China, with 2977 deaths (3.4%) had been reported by WHO. Meanwhile, several independent research groups have identified that SARS-CoV-2 belongs to β-coronavirus, with highly identical genome to bat coronavirus, pointing to bat as the natural host. The novel coronavirus uses the same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as that for SARS-CoV, and mainly spreads through the respiratory tract. Importantly, increasingly evidence showed sustained human-to-human transmission, along with many exported cases across the globe. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients include fever, cough, fatigue and a small population of patients appeared gastrointestinal infection symptoms. The elderly and people with underlying diseases are susceptible to infection and prone to serious outcomes, which may be associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storm. Currently, there are few specific antiviral strategies, but several potent candidates of antivirals and repurposed drugs are under urgent investigation. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical characteristics of COVID-19, and discussed the current treatment and scientific advancements to combat the epidemic novel coronavirus.
Immune deficiency is one of the hallmarks of HIV infection and a major cause of adverse outcomes in people living with HIV (PLWH). Long‐lived memory CD8+ T cells (LLMCs) are essential executors of ...long‐term protective immunity; however, the generation and maintenance of LLMCs during chronic HIV infection are not well understood. In the present study, we analyzed circulating LLMCs in healthy controls (HCs) and PLWH with different disease statuses, including treatment naïve patients (TNs), complete responders (CRs), and immunological nonresponders (INRs). We found that both TNs and INRs showed severely compromised LLMCs compared with HCs and CRs, respectively. The decrease of LLMCs in TNs correlated positively with the reduction of their precursors, namely memory precursor effector T cells (MPECs), which might be associated with elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Strikingly, INRs showed an accumulation of MPECs, which exhibited diminished responsiveness to interleukin 7 (IL‐7), thereby indicating abrogated differentiation into LLMCs. Moreover, in vitro studies showed that treatment with dexamethasone could improve the IL7‐phosphorylated (p)‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT5) response by upregulating the expression of the interleukin 7 receptor (IL‐7Rα) on MPECs in INRs. These findings provide insights that will encourage the development of novel therapeutics to improve immune function in PLWH.
The loss of LLMCs is mainly attributed to poor MPEC maintenance in TNs, but is caused by differentiation failure of MPECs in INRs. IP‐10 serves as a determinant factor for MPEC survival in TNs, while impaired IL‐7 responsiveness of MPECs accounts for the differential defects in INRs.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The administration of ACEI/ARB (angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/Angiotension II receptor blockers) in COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease 2019) patients with hypertension exhibits a lower risk of ...mortality compared with ACEI/ARB non‐users. In this context, an important question arises: is ACEI or ARB more suitable for the treatment of hypertensive COVID‐19 patients? Taken into consideration the following four rationales, ARB may offer a more significant benefit than ACEI for the short‐term treatment of hypertensive COVID‐19 patients: 1. ACEI has no inhibition on non‐ACE‐mediated Ang II production under infection conditions, whereas ARB can function properly regardless of how Ang II is produced; 2. ACEI‐induced bradykinin accumulation may instigate severe ARDS while ARB has no effects on kinin metabolism; 3. ARB alleviates viscous sputa production and inflammatory reaction significantly in contrast to ACEI; 4. ARB may attenuate the lung fibrosis induced by mechanical ventilation in severe patients and improve their prognosis significantly compared with ACEI. To examine the advantages of ARB over ACEI on hypertensive COVID‐19 patients, retrospective case‐control studies comparing the clinical outcomes for COVID‐19 patients receiving ARB or ACEI treatment is strikingly needed in order to provide guidance for the clinical application.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The {100} facet of single‐crystalline TiO2(B) is an ideal platform for inserting Li ions, but it is hard to be obtained due to its high surface energy. Here, the single‐crystalline TiO2(B) nanobelts ...from H2Ti3O7 with nearly 70% {100} facets exposed are synthesized, which significantly enhances Li‐storage capacity. The first‐principle calculations demonstrate an ab in‐plane 2D diffusion through the exposed {100} facets. As a consequence, the nanobelts can significantly accommodate Li ions in LiTiO2 formula with specific capacity up to 335 mAh g−1, which is in good agreement with the electrochemical characterizations. Coating with conductive and protective poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate), the cut‐off discharge voltage is as low as 0.5 V, leading to a capacity of 160.7 mAh g−1 after 1500 cycles with a retention rate of 66% at 1C. This work provides a practical strategy to increase the Li‐ion capacity and cycle stability by tailoring the crystal orientation and nanostructures.
Lithium ions diffuse in a 2D path in the ab plane of TiO2(B), making {100} faceted TiO2(B) a good platform for lithium‐ion battery anodes, according to first‐principle calculations. The {100} facet exposed the TiO2(B) nanobelts electrode exhibit higher Li uptake and larger specific capacity with lower discharge voltage down to 0.05 V compared to conventional anatase TiO2.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Dry eye disease (DED) affects nearly 55% of people worldwide; several studies have proposed that central sensitization and neuroinflammation may contribute to the developing corneal neuropathic pain ...of DED, while the underlying mechanisms of this contribution remain to be investigated. Excision of extra orbital lacrimal glands established the dry eye model. Corneal hypersensitivity was examined through chemical and mechanical stimulation, and open field test measured the anxiety levels. Restingstate fMRI is a method of functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) was performed for anatomical involvement of the brain regions. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) determined brain activity. Immunofluorescence testing and Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were also performed to further validate the findings. Compared with the Sham group, ALFF signals in the supplemental somatosensory area, secondary auditory cortex, agranular insular cortex, temporal association areas, and ectorhinal cortex brain areas were increased in the dry eye group. This change of ALFF in the insular cortex was linked with the increment in corneal hypersensitivity (p < 0.01), c‐Fos (p < 0.001), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (p < 0.01), TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β (p < 0.05). In contrast, IL‐10 levels (p < 0.05) decreased in the dry eye group. DED‐induced corneal hypersensitivity and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines could be blocked by insular cortex injection of Tyrosine Kinase receptor B agonist cyclotraxin‐B (p < 0.01) without affecting anxiety levels. Our study reveals that the functional activity of the brain associated with corneal neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation in the insular cortex might contribute to dry eye‐related corneal neuropathic pain.
The fMRI mapping showed potential brain areas involved in corneal neuropathic pain. The insular cortex is one of the brain areas affected by dry eye‐related corneal neuropathic pain and increased expressions of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and neuroinflammation in the insular cortex may contribute to the activation of central pain pathways in corneal neuropathic pain.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
The influence of different osmotic solution pretreatments (sucrose and glucose with concentration of 45%) on desorption isotherms and glass transition temperatures (Tg) of mango was ...investigated. The Peleg model satisfactorily described the relationship between water activity (aw) and moisture content of all samples (0.992 < r2<0.997). The equilibrium moisture content of mangoes osmotically pretreated in sucrose was higher than that of samples pretreated in glucose. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to measure the Tg of samples equilibrated with different aw (0.12–0.75). The dependence of Tg on moisture content was adequately fitted by Gordon–Taylor model (0.946 < r2<0.949). The osmo‐dehydrated mangoes showed lower Tg than fresh samples at the same moisture content. Additionally, the samples osmotically pretreated in glucose showed the lowest Tg value.
Osmotic dehydration applied to fruits before drying removes water from tissues, whereas the solute enters the foods. Sorption isotherms and the glass transition temperature were determined to provide valuable information on the effects of moisture content on the water availability in foods and on the physical state of food solids.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•Membrane-bound polyphenoloxidase (mPPO) was purified and analyzed.•The binding site of mPPO to 4-methyl catechol was studied using molecular docking.•The mPPO consisted of six α-helices, two short ...β-strands, and ten random coils.•The putative substrate-binding pocket contained six polar or charged amino acids.
Membrane-bound polyphenol oxidase (mPPO) in Fuji apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Red Fuji) was purified and analyzed with a nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometer. The three-dimensional model and binding site of mPPO to 4-methyl catechol were also studied using molecular docking. mPPO was purified 54.41-fold using temperature-induced phase partitioning technique and ion exchange chromatography. mPPO had a molecular weight of 67.3kDa. Even though a significant level of homology was observed between mPPO and the soluble polyphenol oxidase in the copper binding sequence, there was another region, rich in histidine residues, which differed in 13 amino acids. The three-dimensional structure of mPPO consisted of six α-helices, two short β-strands, and ten random coils. The putative substrate-binding pocket contained six polar or charged amino acids, His191, His221, Trp224, Trp228, Phe227, and Val190. Trp224 and Trp228 formed hydrogen bonds with 4-methyl-catechol.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK
•A complete state diagram of mango was developed.•State diagram included three characteristic temperatures.•Maximal-freeze-concentrated water content was 0.16g/g with (Tm′)u being ...−33.0°C.•Characteristic glass transition temperatures Tg′ and Tg″ were −54.6 and −43.2°C.•GAB Xm of adsorption and desorption isotherms were 0.109 and 0.145g/g (d.b.).
Freeze-dried mango powders containing unfreezable and freezable water were measured to explore the state diagram of mango. The state diagram was composed of the freezing curve, glass transition line, and ultimate maximal-freeze-concentration condition. Freezing points and glass transition temperatures were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a function of water contents. The freezing curve was fitted according to Clausius–Clapeyron model and adjusted with unfreezable water, and glass transition line was fitted to the Gordon–Taylor model. The ultimate maximal-freeze-concentration conditions were calculated as Xw′ (characteristic water content, i.e. unfreezable water content)=0.16gwater/g sample (w.b.) with the characteristic temperature as Tg′ (characteristic glass transition)=−54.6°C and (Tm′)u (characteristic end point of freezing)=−33.0°C. The state diagram of freeze-dried mango is useful for determining the stability during storage and selecting the optimum processing conditions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK
Recent studies have evidenced that the anatomical structure now known as the myodural bridge (MDB) connects the suboccipital musculature to the cervical spinal dura mater (SDM). In humans, the MDB ...passes through both the posterior atlanto-occipital and the posterior atlanto-axial interspaces. The existence of the MDB in various mammals, including flying birds (Rock pigeons and Gallus domesticus) has been previously validated. Gentoo penguins are marine birds, able to make 450 dives per day, reaching depths of up to 660 feet. While foraging, this penguin is able to reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour. Gentoo penguins are also the world's fastest diving birds. The present study was therefore carried out to investigate the existence and characteristics of the MDB in Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), a non-flying, marine bird that can dive. For this study, six Gentoo penguin specimens were dissected to observe the existence and composition of their MDB. Histological staining was also performed to analyze the anatomic relationships and characteristic of the MDB in the Gentoo penguin. In this study, it was found that the suboccipital musculature in the Gentoo penguin consists of the rectus capitis dorsalis minor (RCDmi) muscle and rectus capitis dorsalis major (RCDma) muscle. Dense connective tissue fibers were observed connecting these two suboccipital muscles to the spinal dura mater (SDM). This dense connective tissue bridge consists of primarily type I collagen fibers. Thus, this penguin's MDB appears to be analogous to the MDB previously observed in humans. The present study evidences that the MDB not only exists in penguins but it also has unique features that distinguishes it from that of flying birds. Thus, this study advances the understanding of the morphological characteristics of the MDB in flightless, marine birds.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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