The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: What we know Wu, Di; Wu, Tiantian; Liu, Qun ...
International journal of infectious diseases,
05/2020, Volume:
94
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
•The latest summary of the COVID-19 outbreak in China;•There might be an oral-fecal transmission of the virus;•Aggregates and consolidates the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, ...treatments and preventions of this new type of coronavirus.
There is a current worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019; the pathogen called SARS-CoV-2; previously 2019-nCoV), which originated from Wuhan in China and has now spread to 6 continents including 66 countries, as of 24:00 on March 2, 2020. Governments are under increased pressure to stop the outbreak from spiraling into a global health emergency. At this stage, preparedness, transparency, and sharing of information are crucial to risk assessments and beginning outbreak control activities. This information should include reports from outbreak site and from laboratories supporting the investigation. This paper aggregates and consolidates the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatments and preventions of this new type of coronavirus.
TAZ promotes growth, development and tumorigenesis by regulating the expression of target genes. However, the manner in which TAZ orchestrates the transcriptional responses is poorly defined. Here we ...demonstrate that TAZ forms nuclear condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation to compartmentalize its DNA-binding cofactor TEAD4, coactivators BRD4 and MED1, and the transcription elongation factor CDK9 for transcription. TAZ forms phase-separated droplets in vitro and liquid-like nuclear condensates in vivo, and this ability is negatively regulated by Hippo signalling through LATS-mediated phosphorylation and is mediated by the coiled-coil (CC) domain. Deletion of the TAZ CC domain or substitution with the YAP CC domain prevents the phase separation of TAZ and its ability to induce the expression of TAZ-specific target genes. Thus, we identify a mechanism of transcriptional activation by TAZ and demonstrate that pathway-specific transcription factors also engage the phase-separation mechanism for efficient and specific transcriptional activation.
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•KNbO3/ZnO composite was prepared via a two-step hydrothermal method.•KNbO3/ZnO can utilize solar and vibration energy to catalyze the degradation of MO.•KNbO3/ZnO presented much ...better performance in piezo/photocatalytic MO degradation than ZnO or KNbO3.•The enhanced performance was mainly ascribed to the improved charge separation.
In this paper, KNbO3/ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized and used in piezo/photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated sunlight and ultrasonic vibration. Under simulated solar light, the optimal KNbO3/ZnO sample presented a MO degradation rate of 0.047 min−1, which is 2.47 times higher than that of ZnO. The promotion effect of KNbO3 on ZnO was also observed in the piezoelectric catalytic reaction. In addition, the co-utilization of solar and mechanical energy can further increase the MO degradation rate. Piezoelectric property and photoresponse capability are the origins of the piezo/photo catalytic behavior of the KNbO3/ZnO composite. Owing to the different band potentials of KNbO3 and ZnO, the electric potential field at their interface can drive the second distribution of the photo/piezoinduced charge carriers and hence promote the photo/piezocatalytic activity. This phenomenon was verified by the analysis on transient photocurrent and piezocurrent response. Trapping experiments on reactive species were also conducted. Superoxide radicals, holes, and hydroxyl radicals were found to be the main reactive species during the photo/piezocatalytic reaction. Recycling test showed that the KNbO3/ZnO composite exhibited good catalytic stability during six consecutive uses. Given its advantages of good catalytic activity and stability, the synthesized KNbO3/ZnO nanocomposite material has great potential in the further use of solar and mechanical energy to develop new water purification technologies.
Functionalized Fe-TCNQ monolayers serve as high-performance bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts.
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•A low limiting overpotential of 0.33 V for Fe-TCNQ is predicted toward ORR.•The catalytic ...performance of Ni-TCNQs monolayer is identified as the highest for OER.•By grafting ligands and applying strain, the adsorption strengths can be optimized.•Fe-TCNQ-Cl is predicted as high-activity bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts.
The identification of catalytically active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR/OER) would revolutionize rechargeable metal-air batteries and regenerative fuel cell technologies. In this study, we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to systemically investigate 2D transition metal based tetracyanoquinodimethane (TM–TCNQ, TM = Cr-Cu, Ru-Ag, Pt, Ir) monolayers with single TM atoms catalysts (SACs) distributed periodically with high density. We calculate a lower limiting overpotential of ηlim = 0.33 V for Fe-TCNQ yielding a higher expected activity than that of Pt metal (0.48 V) for the ORR under acidic conditions. The catalytic performance of Fe-TCNQ for OER is, however, surpassed by Ni-TCNQs (ηlim = 0.46 V), which is identified as the highest among the candidates. By applying grafting axial ligands and external strain, the adsorption strength of reaction intermediates on TM reactive sites can be further optimized and enhances the activities of Mn-, Fe- and Ni-TCNQs for the ORR or the OER. Here, Fe-TCNQ-Cl (ηlim = 0.27/0.55 V), followed by Fe-TCNQ-CO (ηlim = 0.67/0.43 V), are predicted as novel, high-performance bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts with comparable limiting overpotentials to those of the best commercially used electrocatalysts, Pt (ORR: ηlim = 0.48 V) and RuO2 (OER: ηlim = 0.42 V). In addition, the recently synthesized Fe-TCNQ possess excellent conductivity with fast electron transfer during the catalytic reactions. These results show 2D TM-TCNQ monolayers are durable, low-cost, and efficient catalysts for the ORR and the OER in metal-air batteries and fuel cells.
•A novely eugenol-chitosan nanoemulsions was prepared by using ultrasonication.•Testing factors on the formation and physical stability of nanoemulsion were studied.•The nanoparticles were performed ...in regularly spherical shape distributed within 80–100 nm.•The nanoemulsions showed great storage and thermal stability.•The nanoparticles had excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity.
Eugenol is widely used in food industries where it encounters major concerns such as its poor solubility and stability. Herein, a novel eugenol-nanoemulsion was prepared by using ultrasonication as emulsification techniques, chitosan nanoparticle as carrier, and surfactant, as emulsifier. The results indicated that droplet size and encapsulation efficiency of the nanoemulsions was significantly affected by testing factors. The selected parameters for nanoemulsions were determined as chitosan-eugenol ratio of 1:1, Tween20 1 wt/v%, ultrasonic power 450 W and ultrasonic time 6 min. The nanoparticles were performed in regularly spherical shape distributed within 80–100 nm. Besides, the nanoemulsions showed great storage stability and thermal stability and the nanoeparticles performed excellent antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity as well as an initial burst of eugenol followed by plateau. Therefore, eugenol-chitosan nanoemulsions had great potential in food formulations for extending the shelf life.
Chemically modified DNA has been widely developed to fabricate various nucleic acid nanostructures for biomedical applications. Herein, we report a facile strategy for construction of branched ...antisense DNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA) co‐assembled nanoplatform for combined gene silencing in vitro and in vivo. In our design, the branched antisense can efficiently capture siRNA with 3′ overhangs through DNA–RNA hybridization. After being equipped with an active targeting group and an endosomal escape peptide by host–guest interaction, the tailored nucleic acid nanostructure functions efficiently as both delivery carrier and therapeutic cargo, which is released by endogenous RNase H digestion. The multifunctional nucleic acid nanosystem elicits an efficient inhibition of tumor growth based on the combined gene silencing of the tumor‐associated gene polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK1). This biocompatible nucleic acid nanoplatform presents a new strategy for the development of gene therapy.
A nucleic acid nanoplatform‐based co‐delivery system containing a pair of functionalized branched antisenses and siRNA with 3′ overhangs was constructed through controlled co‐assembly for combined gene silencing and tumor therapy in vivo.
Streptococcus mutans is the principal etiological agent of human dental caries. The major virulence factors of S. mutans are acid production, acid tolerance, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) ...synthesis and biofilm formation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of resveratrol, a natural compound, on virulence properties of S. mutans.
Resveratrol at sub-MIC levels significantly decreased acid production and acid tolerance, inhibited synthesis of water-soluble polysaccharide and water-insoluble polysaccharide, compromised biofilm formation. Related virulence gene expression (ldh, relA, gtfC, comDE) was down-regulated with increasing concentrations of resveratrol.
Resveratrol has an inhibitory effect on S. mutans cariogenic virulence properties and it represents a promising anticariogenic agent.
Ferritin is an iron‐storage protein nanocage that is assembled from 24 subunits. The hollow cavity of ferritin enables its encapsulation of various therapeutic agents; therefore, ferritin has been ...intensively investigated for drug delivery. The use of antibody‐ferritin conjugates provides an effective approach for targeted drug delivery. However, the complicated preparation and limited protein stability hamper wide applications of this system. Herein, we designed a novel nanobody‐ferritin platform (Nb‐Ftn) for targeted drug delivery. The site‐specific conjugation between nanobody and ferritin is achieved by transglutaminase‐catalyzed protein ligation. This ligation strategy allows the Nb conjugation after drug loading in ferritin, which avoids deactivation of the nanobody under the harsh pH environment required for drug encapsulation. To verify the tumor targeting of this Nb‐Ftn platform, a photodynamic reagent, manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc), was loaded into the ferritin cavity, and an anti‐EGFR nanobody was conjugated to the surface of the ferritin. The ferritin nanocage can encapsulate about 82 MnPc molecules. This MnPc@Nb‐Ftn conjugate can be efficiently internalized by EGFR positive A431 cancer cells, but not by EGFR negative MCF‐7 cells. Upon 730 nm laser irradiation, MnPc@Nb‐Ftn selectively killed EGFR positive A431 cells by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas no obvious damage was observed on MCF‐7 cells. Given that ferritin can be used for encapsulation of various therapeutic agents, this work provides a strategy for facile construction of nanobody‐ferritin for targeted drug delivery.
Delivered by nanobody: Site‐specific conjugation of nanobody to ferritin generates a targeted drug‐delivery platform; the encapsulation of a photosensitizer results in targeted photodynamic therapy.
Periostin is a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein involved in various inflammatory diseases and tumor metastasis; however, evidence regarding whether and how periostin actively contributes ...to inflammation-associated tumorigenesis remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that periostin deficiency significantly inhibits the occurrence of colorectal cancer in azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-treated mice and in ApcMin/+ mice. Moreover, periostin deficiency attenuates the severity of colitis and reduces the proliferation of tumor cells. Mechanistically, stromal fibroblast-derived periostin activates FAK-Src kinases through integrin-mediated outside-in signaling, which results in the activation of YAP/TAZ and, subsequently, IL-6 expression in tumor cells. Conversely, IL-6 induces periostin expression in fibroblasts by activating STAT3, which ultimately facilitates colorectal tumor development. These findings provide the evidence that periostin promotes colorectal tumorigenesis, and identify periostin- and IL-6-mediated tumor-stroma interaction as a promising target for treating colitis-associated colorectal cancer.
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•Periostin deficiency inhibits colorectal tumor formation in mice•Periostin is mainly secreted by fibroblasts to promote tumor cell proliferation•Periostin promotes YAP/TAZ nuclear localization and IL-6 expression in tumor cells•IL-6 promotes fibroblast activation and periostin expression during tumorigenesis
Ma et al. demonstrate that fibroblast-derived periostin promotes colorectal tumorigenesis by enhancing YAP/TAZ nuclear localization and IL-6 expression in tumor cells. Conversely, IL-6 promotes periostin expression in fibroblasts via STAT3 signaling. This work identifies crosstalk between stromal cells and tumor cells via periostin and IL-6 during colorectal tumorigenesis.
Bitter tastes are innately aversive and are thought to help protect animals from consuming poisons. Children are extremely sensitive to drug tastes, and their compliance is especially poor with ...bitter medicine. Therefore, judging whether a drug is bitter and adopting flavor correction and taste-masking strategies are key to solving the problem of drug compliance in children. Although various machine learning models for bitterness and sweetness prediction have been reported in the literature, no learning model or bitterness database for children’s medication has yet been reported. In this study, we trained four different machine learning models to predict bitterness. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a machine learning model called the “Children’s Bitter Drug Prediction System” (CBDPS) based on Tkinter, which predicts the bitterness of a medicine based on its chemical structure. Users can enter the Simplified Molecular-Input Line-Entry System (SMILES) formula for a single compound or multiple compounds, and CBDPS will predict the bitterness of children’s medicines made from those XGBoost–Molecular ACCess System (XgBoost–MACCS) model yielded an accuracy of 88% under cross-validation.
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