Bats as Animal Reservoirs for the SARS Coronavirus:Hypothesis Proved After 10 Years of Virus Hunting

Recently,the team led by Dr.Zhengli Shi from Wuhan Institute of Virology,Chinese Academy of Sciences,and Dr.Peter Daszak from Ecohealth Alliance identified SL-CoVs in Chinese horseshoe bats that were 95%identical to human SARS-CoV and were able to use human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 （ACE2） receptor for docking and entry.Remarkably,they isolated the first known live bat SL-CoV that replicates in human

Phase Engineering of MXene Derivatives Via Molecular Design for High-Rate Sodium-Ion Batteries

Since 2019,research into MXene derivatives has seen a dramatic rise;further progress requires a rational design for specific functionality.Herein,through a molecular design by selecting suitable functional groups in the MXene coating,we have implemented the dual N doping of the derivatives,nitrogen-doped TiO_(2)@nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets(N-TiO_(2)@NC),to strike a balance between the active anatase TiO_(2)at low temperatures,and carbon activation at high temperatures.The NH_(3)reduction environment generated at 400℃as evidenced by the in situ pyrolysis SVUV-PIMS process is crucial for concurrent phase engineering.With both electrical conductivity and surface Na+availability,the N-TiO_(2)@NC achieves higher interface capacitive-like sodium storage with long-term stability.More than 100 mAh g^(-1)is achieved at 2 A g^(-1)after 5000 cycles.The proposed design may be extended to other MXenes and solidify the growing family of MXene derivatives for energy storage.

Utilizing metabolomic approach to study the mode of action of fungicides and corresponding resistance in plant pathogens

Fungicides are an indispensable tool in plant disease control.Various modes of action(MOAs)have been identified in different fungicides to suppress plant pathogens.The combined use of fungicides with distinct MOAs has been recommended to prevent the development of pathogen resistance.In studying MOAs,metabolomics has been proven to be a robust and high-throughput method.Because metabolites are unique and distinct depending on the biological activities of an organism,MOAs can be identified and classified by establishing metabolic fingerprinting and metabolic profiles.Similarly,if fungicide resistance is developed in a pathogen,the metabolome will change,which can be identified.In this review,we have discussed the principles and advanced applications of metabolomics in the study of MOAs and resistance mechanisms of fungicides,and the potential of metabolic data in understanding the interaction between fungicides and pathogens.Challenges are also discussed in the application of metabolomics,improvement of the study on the mechanism of fungicides in their functions against pathogens and advancing the development of novel fungicides.

Effect of Prone Position Ventilation in Patients with Severe Craniocerebral Injury Complicated with Pulmonary Infection

Objective:To investigate the effects of prone ventilation in patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with pulmonary infection.Methods:A total of 100 patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with pulmonary infection in the hospital were randomly divided into a prone ventilation group and a conventional ventilation group,with 50 patients in each group.The Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score,APACHE II score,sputum culture results,oxygenation indicators,and prognosis were compared between the two groups.Data were processed using SPSS 25.0 statistical software,and t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables,respectively.Results:The experimental group showed better oxygenation indicators,a lower positive rate of sputum cultures,and reduced intracranial pressure compared to the control group(all P<0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that GCS score,APACHE II score,and prone ventilation were independent risk factors affecting patient prognosis(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Prone ventilation can improve oxygenation,reduce the risk of pulmonary infection,and decrease intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury combined with pulmonary infection,thereby improving patient prognosis.GCS score and APACHE II score can serve as important indicators for prognostic evaluation.

Freshwater Cyanophages

Cyanophages are double-stranded DNA viruses that infect cyanobacteria, and they can be found in both freshwater and marine environments. They have a complex pattem of host ranges and play important roles in controlling cyanobacteria population. Unlike marine cyanophages, for which there have been a number of recent investigations, very little attention has been paid to freshwater cyanophages. This review summarizes the taxonomy and morphology, host range, distribution, seasonal dynamics, and complete genomes of freshwater cyanophages, as well as diagnostic markers that can be used to identify them.

Characterization and Genomic Analysis of a Plaque Purified Strain of Cyanophage PP

Cyanophages are ubiquitous and essential components of the aquatic environment and play an important role in the termination of algal blooms.As such,they have attracted widespread interest.PP was the first isolated cyanophage in China,which infects Plectonema boryanum and Phormidium foveolarum.In this study,this cyanophage was purified three times by a double-agar overlay plaque assay and characterized.Its genome was extracted,totally sequenced and analyzed.Electron microscopy revealed a particle with an icosahedral head connected to a short stubby tail.Bioassays showed that PP was quite virulent.The genome of PP is a 42,480 base pair(bp),linear,double-stranded DNA molecule with 222 bp terminal repeats.It has high similarity with the known Pf-WMP3 sequence.It contains 41 open reading frames(ORFs),17 of which were annotated.Intriguingly,the genome can be divided into two completely different parts,which differ both in orientation and function.

The limited number of available nucleotide and protein sequence data from the recent H7N9 cases in China impeded investigation and characterization of the outbreak

Dear Editor,Nucleotide and protein sequences of isolates collectedfrom infected populations can be useful for determiningthe threats,such as host adaptation,which are associatedwith the emergence of new lineages.March 2013 saw thefirst reports of a new H7N9 lineage in Shanghai,Chinathat saw a gradual increase in the number of cases;but,by 17th May 2013,four Chinese provinces had

Cyanophage and Algal Virus

Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae are abundant in freshwater and marine environments,and are fundamentally important in global biogeochemical cycles and for primary productivity.Under certain conditions,such as an excess of nutrients due to human activities through fertilizers or sewage,

Identification of the Epitopes of Monoclonal Antibodies against P74 of Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus

P74 is a per os infectivity factor of baculovirus.Here,we report the production of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs),denoted as 20D9,20F9 and 21E1,raised against P74 of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV),and the identification of their recognition epitopes.The full-length P74,without the transmembrane domains at the C-terminus,was first divided into three segments (N,M and C,respectively),based on the proposed cleavage model for the protein,which were then expressed individually.Western blot analyses revealed specific cross-reactions with the N fragment,for both 20D9 and 21E1.Extensive truncation,followed by prokaryotic expression,of the P74 N fragment was then performed in order to screen for linear epitopes of P74.The recognition regions of 20D9 and 21E1 were revealed to be localized at R144-T153 and T199-C219,respectively.In addition,immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that 20D9 and 20F9 could recognize native P74 in HearNPV-infected cells.These findings will facilitate further investigations of the proteolytic processing of HearNPV P74,and of its involvement in virus-host interactions.

Isolation,characterization,and phylogenic analysis of three new severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus strains derived from Hubei Province,China

Hubei Province is a major epidemic area of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus(SFTSV) in China. However, to date, a few SFTSV strains have been isolated from Hubei Province, preventing effective studies of epidemic outbreaks. Here, we report three confirmed patients(2015–2016) with typical symptoms of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome disease(SFTS) who were farmers resident in different regions in Hubei Province. Three new SFTSV strains were isolated from the serum samples of each patient. Characterization of viral growth properties showed that there were no significant differences in virus production. All strains were completely sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis showed that unlike the other strains from Hubei province, which belonged to the SFTSV C3 genotype, one of the three strains belonged to the SFTSV C2 genotype. These results suggested that multiple SFTSV genotypes have been circulating in Hubei Province, providing insights into SFTSV evolution and improving our understanding of SFTSV prevalence in Hubei Province.

Hsp90βis critical for the infection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)caused by the SFTS virus(SFTSV)is an emerging disease in East Asia with a fatality rate of up to 30%.However,the viral-host interaction of SFTSV remains largely unknown.The heat-shock protein 90(Hsp90)family consists of highly conserved chaperones that fold and remodel proteins and has a broad impact on the infection of many viruses.Here,we showed that Hsp90 is an important host factor involved in SFTSV infection.Hsp90 inhibitors significantly reduced SFTSV replication,viral protein expression,and the formation of inclusion bodies consisting of nonstructural proteins(NSs).Among viral proteins,NSs appeared to be the most reduced when Hsp90 inhibitors were used,and further analysis showed that their translation was affected.Co-immunoprecipitation of NSs with four isomers of Hsp90 showed that Hsp90βspecifically interacted with them.Knockdown of Hsp90βexpression also inhibited replication of SFTSV.These results suggest that Hsp90βplays a critical role during SFTSV infection and could be a potential target for the development of drugs against SFTS.

Crucial role played by CK8^(+)cells in mediating alveolar injury remodeling for patients with COVID-19

The high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and reinfection and the occurrence of post-acute pulmonary sequelae have highlighted the importance of understanding the mechanism underlying lung repair after injury.To address this concern,comparative and systematic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients and animals were conducted.In the lungs of nine patients who died of COVID-19 and one recovered from COVID-19 but died of unrelated disease in early 2020,damage-related transient progenitor(DATP)cells expressing CK8 marker proliferated significantly.These CK8^(+)DATP cells were derived from bronchial CK5^(+)basal cells.However,they showed different cell fate toward differentiation into type I alveolar cells in the deceased and convalescent patients,respectively.By using a self-limiting hamster infection model mimicking the dynamic process of lung injury remodeling in mild COVID-19 patients,the accumulation and regression of CK8t cell marker were found to be closely associated with the disease course.Finally,we examined the autopsied lungs of two patients who died of infection by the recent Omicron variant and found that they only exhibited mild pathological injury with no CK8^(+)cell proliferation.These results indicate a clear pulmonary cell remodeling route and suggest that CK8^(+)DATP cells play a primary role in mediating alveolar remodeling,highlighting their potential applications as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

RNA viromes of Dermacentor nuttalli ticks reveal a novel uukuvirus in Qinghai Province,China

Ticks are a major parasite on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,western China,and represent an economic burden to agriculture and animal husbandry.Despite research on tick-borne pathogens that threaten humans and animals,the viromes of dominant tick species in this area remain unknown.In this study,we collected Dermacentor nuttalli ticks near Qinghai Lake and identified 13 viruses belonging to at least six families through metagenomic sequencing.Four viruses were of high abundance in pools,including Xınjiang tick-associated virus 1(XJTAV1),and three novel viruses:Qinghai Lake virus 1,Qinghai Lake virus 2(QHLV1,and QHLV2,unclassified),and Qinghai Lake virus 3(QHLV3,genus Uukuvirus of family Phenuiviridae in order Bunyavirales),which lacks the M segment.The minimum infection rates of the four viruses in the tick groups were 8.2%,49.5%,6.2%,and 24.7%,respectively,suggesting the prevalence of these viruses in D.nuttalli ticks.A putative M segment of QHLV3 was identified from the next-generation sequencing data and further characterized for its signal peptide cleavage site,N-glycosylation,and transmembrane region.Furthermore,we probed the L,M,and S segments of other viruses from sequencing data of other tick pools by using the putative M segment sequence of QHLV3.By revealing the viromes of D.nuttalli ticks,this study enhances our understanding of tick-borne viral communities in highland regions.The putative M segment identified in a novel uukuvirus suggests that previously identified uukuviruses without M segments should have had the same genome organization as typical bunyaviruses.These findings will facilitate virus discovery and our understanding of the phylogeny of tick-borne uukuviruses.

The 2024 National Symposium on Insect Virology held in Qingdao

Insect virology constitutes a niche within microbiology,focusing on viruses that infect insect populations.Viruses detrimental to beneficial insects such as honeybees and silk worms and some arthropods(e.g.shrimps),disrupt pollination and impose substantial losses in sericulture,apiculture,and aquaculture,causing agricultural damage.On the other hand,some insect viruses specifically infecting insect pests are considered promising biological control agents that are safe and harmless to the environment.Furthermore,certain insect viruses such as baculoviruses have been widely used in gene expression and delivery.All these unique properties of insect viruses have made insect virology an attractive field for both scientific exploration and industrial applications.

Enterobacter sp.菌株的耐锰特性及表征

通过富集培养的方法,从某铀矿周边的稻田土壤中筛选出了一株表现出较强耐锰能力的细菌菌株Enterobacter sp.,命名为NM3。经过菌落形态观察、革兰氏染色以及16S rDNA序列分析的鉴定,确认该细菌归于Enterobacter属。为了研究NM3菌株吸附Mn2+的效率及相关吸附机理,运用了原子吸收光谱、扫描电镜和傅里叶红外光谱等多种仪器进行深入分析。结果表明:该菌株对Mn2+的耐受性高达8000 mg·L^(-1)。在Mn^(2+)浓度为4000mg·L^(-1)条件下经过60 h反应,去除率可达93.3%。参与这一吸附过程的主要官能团包括羟基、烷基和酰胺基团等。进一步检测NM3菌株的促生特性及其对青菜富集Mn^(2+)的影响时发现,该菌株具备产生生长素IAA的能力,能够显著提升锰胁迫下青菜生物量34.13%~56.09%,并且使青菜中的Mn2+含量下降50.09%。

布尼亚病毒目新分类概述

布尼亚病毒目中许多病毒是新发现的,而且对人类健康构成威胁或潜在威胁。本文结合国际病毒分类委员会(ICTV)2017年第十次报告,针对新列的布尼亚病毒目的最新分类系统,总结了该类病毒ICTV分类的历史变化情况,对其下属各病毒科的分类、中英文定名、代表种、病毒形态、病毒基因组结构、编码蛋白、病毒主要传播媒介、病毒感染宿主、地理分布、理化特性等进行了介绍,并且基于病毒基因组的编码RdRp的基因序列对9个科13个属的布尼亚病毒做了系统发育分析。

Virus like particle-based vaccines against emerging infectious disease viruses

Emerging infectious diseases are major threats to human health.Most severe viral disease outbreaks occur in developing regions where health conditions are poor.With increased international travel and business,the possibility of eventually transmitting infectious viruses between different countries is increasing.The most effective approach in preventing viral diseases is vaccination.However,vaccines are not currently available for numerous viral diseases.Viruslike particles(VLPs) are engineered vaccine candidates that have been studied for decades.VLPs are constructed by viral protein expression in various expression systems that promote the selfassembly of proteins into structures resembling virus particles.VLPs have antigenicity similar to that of the native virus,but are non-infectious as they lack key viral genetic material.VLP vaccines have attracted considerable research interest because they offer several advantages over traditional vaccines.Studies have shown that VLP vaccines can stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses,which may offer effective antiviral protection.Here we review recent developments with VLP-based vaccines for several highly virulent emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases.The infectious agents discussed include RNA viruses from different virus families,such as the Arenaviridae,Bunyaviridae,Caliciviridae,Coronaviridae,Filoviridae,Flaviviridae,Orthomyxoviridae,Paramyxoviridae,and Togaviridae families.

Isolation,Characterization,and Phylogenetic Analysis of Two New Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains from the Northern Region of Xinjiang Province,China

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF)caused by the CCHF virus(CCHFV)is a tick-borne natural focal disease with a mortality rate of approximately 50%.CCHFV is widely prevalent in Africa,southern Asia,the Middle East,and southeast Europe.CCHF outbreaks have been reported previously in Xinjiang province,China,especially in its southern region.Epidemiological surveys conducted on ticks and animals have revealed the presence of CCHFV strains in ticks,rodents,and infected individuals from cities and counties in southern Xinjiang.Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Chinese CCHFV strains belong to one genotype,based on complete sequences of the S segments of its negative-stranded RNA genome.The present study reports two new CCHFV strains isolated from Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum ticks collected from Fukang City and Wujiaqu City in the northern region of Xinjiang.Viral characteristics and their evolutionary relationships were analyzed through metagenomic and reverse-transcription PCR analyses;these analyses indicated that the genotype of both strains was different from that of other Chinese strains.Furthermore,previous reports of CCHFV in Xinjiang were reviewed and phylogenetic analyses were performed.CCHFV was found to prevail in Fukang City in Junggar Basin for more than 20 years,and that Fukang City and Wujiaqu City are considered natural reservoirs of different genotypes of CCHFV strains.Our findings facilitate the understanding of CCHFV distribution in Xinjiang province and provide insights into the evolutionary relationships among Chinese CCHFV strains.

Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks from Different Ecosystems in Xinjiang,China

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV),a member of the genus Orthonairovirus and family Nairoviridae,is transmitted by ticks and causes severe hemorrhagic disease in humans.To study the epidemiology of CCHFV in different ecosystems in Xinjiang,China,a total of 58,932 ticks were collected from Tarim Basin,Junggar Basin,Tianshan Mountain,and Altai Mountain from 2014 to 2017.Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum was the dominant tick species in Tarim and Junggar basins,whereas Dermacentor nuttalli and Hyalomma detritum were found in Tianshan Mountain and Altai Mountain,respectively.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the CCHFV small(S)genome segment was used for the molecular detection.The CCHFV-positive percentage was 5.26%,6.85%,1.94%,and 5.56% in Tarim Basin,Junggar Basin,Tianshan Mountain,and Altai Mountain,respectively.Sequences of the S segment were used for phylogenetic analysis and the results showed that the newly identified CCHFV strains belonged to two clades.Our study confirms that H.asiaticum asiaticum is the major vector of CCHFV in desert habitats which is consistent with previous studies,and also suggests that H.detritum and D.nuttalli are emerging vectors for CCHFV in Xinjiang.Moreover,this study reports the presence of CCHFV in the mountain habitat of Xinjiang for the first time,suggesting that future surveillance of CCHFV should also include mountainous areas.

A new strain of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus isolated from Xinjiang, China

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV) is a highly pathogenic tick-borne virus with a fatality rate of up to 50% in humans. CCHFV is widely distributed in countries around the world.Outbreaks of CCHFV infection in humans have occurred in prior years in Xinjiang Province, China.Epidemiological surveys have detected CCHFV RNA in ticks and animals; however, few isolates were identified. In this study, we identified and isolated a new CCHFV strain from Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum ticks collected from north of Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China. A preliminary investigation of infection and antigens expression of CCHFV was performed in newborn mice. The target tissues for CCHFV replication in newborn mice were identified. The analysis of the phylogenetic relationships with other Chinese strains suggested that diverse genotypes of CCHFV have circulated in Xinjiang for years. These findings provide important insights into our understanding of CCHFV infection and evolution as well as disease prevention and control for local residents.