Establishment of a humanized ST6GAL1 mouse model for influenza research

Background:This study aimed to construct and characterize a humanized influenza mouse model expressing hST6GAL1.Methods:Humanized fragments,consisting of the endothelial cell-specific K18 promoter,human ST6GAL1-encoding gene,and luciferase gene,were microinjected into the fertilized eggs of mice.The manipulated embryos were transferred into the oviducts of pseudopregnant female mice.The offspring were identified using PCR.Mice exhibiting elevated expression of the hST6GAL1 gene were selectively bred for propagation,and in vivo analysis was performed for screening.Expression of the humanized gene was tested by performing immunohistochemical(IHC)analysis.Hematologic and biochemical analyses using the whole blood and serum of humanized hST6GAL1 mice were performed.Results:Successful integration of the human ST6GAL1 gene into the mouse genome led to the overexpression of human SiaT ST6GAL1.Seven mice were identified as carrying copies of the humanized gene,and the in vivo analysis indicated that hST6GAL1gene expression in positive mice mirrored influenza virus infection characteristics.The IHC results revealed that hST6GAL1 was expressed in the lungs of humanized mice.Moreover,the hematologic and biochemical parameters of the positive mice were within the normal range.Conclusion:A humanized influenza mouse model expressing the hST6GAL1 gene was successfully established and characterized.

Stop H5N1 influenza in US cattle now

The relentless march of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus(HPAIV)strain,known as H5N1,to become an unprecedented panzootic continues unchecked.The leap of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b from Eurasia and Africa to North America in 2021 and its further spread to South America and the Antarctic have exposed new avian and mammalian populations to the virus and led to outbreaks on an unrivaled scale.The virus has infected wild birds across vast geographic regions and caused wildlife deaths in some of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems.

Molecular Characterization of Avian-like H1N1 Swine Influenza A Viruses Isolated in Eastern China, 2011

Currently, three predominant subtypes of influenza virus are prevalent in pig populations worldwide： H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2. European avian-Hke H1N1 viruses, which were initially detected in European pig populations in 1979, have been circulating in pigs in eastern China since 2007. In this study, six influenza A viruses were isolated from 60 swine lung samples collected from January to April 2011 in eastern China. Based on whole genome sequencing, molecular characteristics of two isolates were determined. Phylogenetic analysis showed the eight genes of the two isolates were closely related to those of the avian-like H1N1 viruses circulating in pig populations, especially similar to those found in China. Four potential glycosylation sites were observed at positions 13, 26, 198, 277 in the HA1 proteins of the two isolates. Due to the presence of a stop codon at codon 12, the isolates contained truncated PB1-F2 proteins. In this study, the isolates contained 591Q, 627E and 701N in the polymerase subunit PB2, which had been shown to be determinants of virulence and host adaptation. The isolates also had a D rather than E at position 92 of the NS1, a marker of mammalian adaptation. Both isolates contained the GPKV motif at the PDZ ligand domain of the 3＇ end of the NS1, a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1999, which is distinct from those of avian, human and classical swine viruses. The M2 proteins of the isolates have the mutation （S31N）, a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1987, which may confer resistance to amantadine and rimantadine antivirals. Our findings further emphasize the importance of surveillance on the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses in pigs, and raise more concerns about the occurrence of cross-species transmission events.

Improvement of the efficacy of influenza vaccination (H5N1) in chicken by using extract of Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS)

Seeds of a Chinese traditional medicine plant, Cochinchina momordica were used in the present study for the improvement of influenza vaccine （HSN 1） in chicken. Crude extraction from Cochinchina momordica seed （ECMS） was obtained by ethanol extraction method. In experiment No. 1, two weeks old chickens were immunized with influenza vaccine （HSN1） alone or combined with ECMS （5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/dose）. Serum IgG antibody levels （by ELISA） as well as effects on dally weight gain were measured on 0, 7, 14 and 28th day after immunization. Results revealed that all ECMS groups numerically increased the antibody levels while 10 and 20 μg/dose groups significantly （P〈0.05） enhanced total IgG antibody on day 28, when compared with control. Average daily weight gain was also significantly higher in 20 μg/dose ECMS group. Adjuvant effect was also confirmed in experiment No. 2 when chickens were immunized with 20 μg/dose ECMS and antibody titer was measured through hemagglutination inhibition （HI）. It is concluded that ECMS has potential to improve the immune responses and deserve further study as an adjuvant.

Clinical Predictors for Diagnosing Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and Seasonal Influenza (H3N2) in Fever Clinics in Beijing,China

Objective Symptomatic predictors of influenza could assess risks and improve decisions about isolation and outpatient treatment. To develop such predictors, we undertook a prospective analysis of pandemic （HIN1） 2009 and seasonal influenza （H3N2） in patients attending fever clinics. Methods From 1 May 2009 to 1 January 2010, all adult patients admitted to fever clinics for suspected influenza, confirmed by real time RT-PCR, were enrolled. Predictors of influenza virus infection were selected with logistic regression models. Measures of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios （LRs） were calculated to identify the best predictors. Results The clinical features and routine blood test results of influenza （H1N1） 2009 and seasonal influenza were similar. The positive and negative LRs of current US CDC influenza-like illness （ILl） criteria were modest in predicting influenza infection. Our modified clinic predictors improved the ability of the positive and negative LRs to recognize pandemic （HIN1） 2009 and seasonal influenza. The revised criteria are： fever ~ 38 ~C accompanied by at least one of the following--cough, arthralgia or relative iymphopenia. Conclusion Patients with symptoms and signs that meet the new criteria are likely to have influenza and timely antiviral therapy may be appropriate. In addition, physicians should ascertain if influenza is circulating within the community or if there is a contact history of influenza and combine this information with the newly developed criteria to clinically diagnose influenza.

Establishing an ELISA,Based on the HA1 Protein,for Detecting Antibodies against H3N2 Subtype Swine Influenza Virus

The HA1 gene of H3N2 subtype swine influenza virus(SIV)was cloned into the expression plasmid pET-30a,the recombinant plasmid was named pET-HAl.This was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3),and expressed by induction with IPTG.The expressed HA protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting which showed the protein to be 42kDa and was immunoreactive.The purified HA protein was used to establish the indirect ELIS A for detection of the antibodies,specifically against the H3 subtype of SIV.The assay has excellent specificity,sensitivity and reproducibility.When 96 serum samples,randomly collected from the field,were evaluated in parallel by this new ELISA using recombinant HA1 and a routine HI test,the coincidental rate between the two tests was 86.5%.These results show that the recombinant HAl-based ELISA is specific,sensitive and easy to perform for the serological diagnosis of SIV infection.

H5N1 Avian Influenza Pre-pandemic Vaccine Strains in China

Objective To prepare the 4 candidate vaccine strains of H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated in China Methods Recombinant viruses were rescued using reverse genetics. Neuraminidase （NA） and hemagglutinin （HA） segments of the A/Xinjiang/1/2006, A/Guangxi/1/2009, A/Hubei/1/2010, and A/Guangdong/1/2011 viruses were amplified by RT-PCR. Multibasic amino acid cleavage site of HA was removed and ligated into the pCIpoll vector for virus rescue. The recombinant viruses were evaluated by trypsin dependent assays. Their embnjonate survival and antigenicity were compared with those of the respective wild-type viruses. Results The 4 recombinant viruses showed similar antigenicity compared with wild-type viruses, chicken embryo survival and trypsin-dependent characteristics. Conclusion The 4 recombinant viruses rescued using reverse genetics meet the criteria for classification of low pathogenic avian influenza strains, thus supporting the use of them for the development of seeds and production of pre-pandemic vaccines.

Pneumomediastinum： Unusual Complication ofInfection with Influenza A HIN1 （About a Case）

Influenza A （H IN l） is a viral infection which can be responsible of severe lung diseases. Mediastinal symptoms are rareespecially pneumomediastinum.The aim of this work is to report a case of a young immunocompromised patient who was admitted tothe intensive care unit for acute respiratory distress that revealed Influenza A H1NI pulmonary infection withpneumomediastinum .The evolution was favorable.

Intergenic subset organization within a set of geographically-defined viral sequences from the 2009 H1N1 influenza A pandemic

We report a bioinformatic analysis of the datasets of sequences of all ten genes from the 2009 H1N1 influenza A pandemic in the state of Wisconsin. The gene with the greatest summed information entropy was found to be the hemagglutinin (HA) gene. Based upon the viral ID identifier of the HA gene sequence, the sequences of all of the genes were sorted into two subsets, depending upon whether the nucleotide occupying the position of maximum entropy, position 658 of the HA sequence, was either A or U. It was found that the information entropy (H) distributions of subsets differed significantly from each other, from H distributions of randomly generated subsets and from the H distributions of the complete datasets of each gene. Mutual information (MI) values facilitated identification of nine nucleotide positions, distributed over seven of the influenza genes, at which the nucleotide subsets were disjoint, or almost disjoint. Nucleotide frequencies at these nine positions were used to compute mutual information values that subsequently served as weighting factors for edges in a graph net-work. Seven of the nucleotide positions in the graph network are sites of synonymous mutations. Three of these sites of synonymous mutation are within a single gene, the M1 gene, which occupied the position of greatest graph centrality. It is proposed that these bioinformatic and network graph results may reflect alterations in M1-mediated viral packaging and exteriorization, known to be susceptible to synonymous mutations.

Avian Influenza H5N1 Surveillance in Geese of Qinghai Province, China (2012)

The aim of study was to detect H5N1 virus in wild geese in Qinghai Province in 2012. The work was provided according to WHO and OIE guidelines. In 2012, we collected 532 samples from wild geese of two species: Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) and Graylag Goose (Anser anser). We analyzed samples by chicken embryo inoculation and PCR. No avian influenza viruses were isolated. History of HPAI H5N1 shows obvious importance of Central Asian region in its spreading. The outbreaks of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) were reported in wild birds at the Qinghai Lake since 2005. This area seems to be key point for H5N1 avian influenza surveillance in wild birds. We did not find viruses although H5N1 cases in poultry were reported from 5 provinces of China in 2012. Annual surveillance is required for early AIV detection in this region.

Traditional Chinese medicine as monotherapy or combined with oseltamivir in the treatment of H1N1 influenza:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine,alone or in combination with oseltamivir,in patients with H1N1 Influenza.Methods In the present study,we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,PUBMED,EMBASE,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,China Science and Technology Journal Database,China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,and WanFang Data for studies published in or before February 8,2022.Data were extracted and checked by two investigators.Review Manager 5.4 and STATA statistical software 16.0 were used for the data analysis.Results We identified 22 individual studies reporting data from 2292 individuals with H1N1 influenza.Compared with oseltamivir,the fever clearance duration[MD=-3.99,95%CI(-6.89,-1.09)]and sore throat relief time[MD=-5.39,95%CI(-10.19,-0.59)]in the intervention group of traditional Chinese medicine monotherapy or combined with oseltamivir were shorter.Maxingshigan was the primary component of Lianhuaqingwen.The subgroup analyses indicated that Maxingshigan shortened fever clearance time[MD=-3.23,95%CI(-5.60,-0.85)],and also had certain advantages in relieving sore throat[RR=-4.55,95%CI(-10.04,0.95)].However,as for the effective rate,fever duration,cough disappearance time,hospital length of stay,clinical symptoms time as well as viral shedding duration,there were no significant differences between the two groups.Besides,no serious adverse effects were reported in the included studies.Conclusion Although we couldn’t get a definitive conclusion due to the small sample sizes and high risk of bias in the included studies,most traditional Chinese medicine showed similar effects to oseltamivir in treating H1N1 influenza.Some were showed to have a statistically significant shorter time of fever clearance and sore throat remission when they were used alone or in combination with oseltamivir and were well-tolerated treatment,such as Maxingshigan.

Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses Isolated from Domestic Poultry in China

The highly pathogenic avian influenza （HPAI） H5N1 virus has caused several outbreaks in domestic poultry. Despite great efforts to control the spread of this virus, it continues to evolve and poses a substantial threat to public health because of a high mortality rate. In this study, we sequenced whole genomes of eight H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic poultry in eastern China and compared them with those of typical influenza virus strains. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all eight genomes belonged to clade 2.3.2.1 and clade 7.2, the two main circulating clades in China. Viruses that clustered in clade 2.3.2.1 shared a high degree of homology with H5N1 isolates located in eastern Asian. Isolates that clustered in clade 7.2 were found to circulate throughout China, with an east-to-west density gradient. Pathogenicity studies in mice showed that these isolates replicate in the lungs, and clade 2.3.2.1 viruses exhibit a notably higher degree of virulence compared to clade 7.2 viruses. Our results contribute to the elucidation of the biological characterization and pathogenicity of HPAI H5N1 viruses.

HINI甲型流感伴肺曲霉菌重症肺炎的1例药学实践

本文报道1例重度甲型H1N1流行性感冒性伴曲霉菌重症肺炎病例,临床药师从抗病毒、抗细菌、抗曲霉菌、抗休克治疗及序贯治疗方案调整、患者用药教育等方面,协助医生制定个体化药物治疗方案。根据患者发病时间长致休克,乳酸脱氢酶、肌酸激酶升高,推荐静滴新型强效神经氨酸酶抑制药帕拉米韦;判定患者合并脓毒血症、侵袭性曲霉菌感染,协助医生制定集束化及抗曲霉菌治疗方案,并及时降阶梯,使病毒、细菌及真菌的感染得到了较好控制;通过早期运用小剂量糖皮质激素逆转了脓毒血症、急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)及多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS),逐步减量减轻肺纤维化后撤药。通过该案例,临床药师利用最新的知识,协助医生分析疾病进展,调整药物方案,为重症甲型H1N1流感患者的成功救治提供了帮助。

Cloning and Phylogenetic Analysis of NS1 Genes from Different Isolates of H9N2 Subtype Duck Influenza Virus

[ Objective] The study aimed to lay a foundation for the further studies on function mechanism of NS1 protein in the interspecies transmission of waterfowl influenza virus. [Method] Using the serologic assay and the specific RT-PCR method, some strains of H9 subtype waterfowl influenza virus were isolated from the 12 to 20 day-old muscovy duck flocks without any clinical symptoms in different areas of Guangdong Province. Four of these strains, including A/duck/ZQ/303/2007（H9N2） （A3 for short）, A/Duck/FJ/301/2007 （H9N2） （C1 for short）, A/Duck/NH/306/2007（H9N2） （ D6 for short）, A/duck/SS/402/2007（H9N2） （ E2 for short）, and a strain named A/duck/ZC/2007（H9N2） （L1 for short） from a muscovy duck died of avian influenza virus （AIV）, were used for NSl gene cloning and sequencing. Subsequently, the obtained NSl gene sequences were compared with other NS1 sequences registered in GenBank, and the phylogenetic analysis was also conducted. [Result] When compared with the H9N2 AIV NS1 sequences in GenBank, the NSl genes of the four AIV strains A3, C1, 136 and E2 displayed homologies ranging from 99% to 100% at nucleotide level, and 95% to 100% at amino acid level; while the NSl gene of L1 strain displayed homology ranging from 94% to 97% at nucleotide level, and 93% to 98% at amino acid level. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that A3, C1, D6 and E2 were highly resemblant, and L1 was closest to AY66473 （chicken, 2003）. By comparison with the NS1 gene sequences of L1, AF523514 （duck）, AY664743 （chicken） and EF155262.1 （quail） using DNAstar, A3, C1, D6 and E.2 presented nucleotide variations at site 21 （ R→Q）, 70, 71 （ KE→EG）, 86 （ A→S）, 124 （V→M） and 225 （ S→N）, and amino acid variations at site 21,70, 71 and 86 in dsRNA- dependent protein kinase （PKR） binding domain of NSl gene, which induced the evident variations of antigenic determinant and surface proba- bility plot of NS1 protein. [ Conclusion] This study suggested that the amino acid sequence variation in PKR binding domain of NS1 protein had something to do with the virus pathogenicity.

点选式电子病历在治疗甲型HIN1流感中的应用

目的分析点选式电子病历在治疗甲型H1N1流感病例中的应用情况，了解其优势与不足。方法，选取2009年4月-7月北京佑安医院收治的甲型H1N1流感纸质病历117份，2009年7月～8月收治的甲型H1N1流感电子病历127份。对现病史中甲型H1N1流感常见症状发热、流涕、咳嗽、咳痰的描述情况进行统计，分析点选式电子病历与传统手写病历规范化差别。结果对发热的表现、最高体温、是否伴随畏寒、寒颤等因素进行记录，显示电子病历明显优于手写病历（P〈0．05）。结论点选式电子病历较传统手写病历对甲型H1N1流感病史收集记录更加全面、规范。

蛋白酶激活受体1在甲型流感病毒感染所致炎症中的作用机制

目的:探究蛋白酶激活受体1(PAR1)在甲型流感病毒(IAV)感染所致的炎症中的作用机制。方法:选取10例甲型流感病毒患者及10名健康受试者作为研究对象,比较二者血清PAR1表达水平。按照不同感染复数将人肺癌细胞系A549细胞分为control组、0.05组、0.1组、0.2组及0.4组,使用MTT法检测各组细胞活性;使用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测各组白细胞介素6(IL-6)水平;使用RT-qPCR检测各组PAR1 mRNA水平;Western blot检测PAR1、Toll样受体3(TLR3)及核因子κB(NF-κB) p65蛋白水平。敲低PAR1或过表达TLR3后,使用Western blot检测各组细胞PAR1、TLR3、NF-κB p65、p-NF-κB p65蛋白表达量。结果:PAR1在IAV感染患者血清及IAV感染的A549细胞中表达上调。与control组细胞相比,IAV感染细胞中细胞活性降低,促炎因子IL-6水平升高,且PAR1的mRNA表达水平上调。si-PAR1抑制了IAV诱导的炎症细胞因子IL-6水平的升高。TLR3过表达逆转了由si-PAR1所致的TLR3、p-NF-κB p65蛋白水平降低(P<0.05)。TLR3过表达逆转了si-PAR1所致的细胞活力和炎性因子的水平(P<0.05)。si-PAR1通过介导TLR3/NF-κB信号通路降低IAV感染所致的炎症反应。结论:敲低PAR1可通过抑制TLR3/NF-κB信号通路降低了IAV感染所致的炎症反应,发挥抗病毒作用。

银离子信号放大电化学免疫法检测H1N1流感病毒

提出了一种新型高灵敏度的电化学分析方法,用于H1N1流感病毒的检测。双抗夹心免疫反应在酶联免疫吸附剂测定(ELISA)板上进行,纳米银-二氧化钛-壳聚糖(Ag-TiO2-CS)复合物标记的多抗作为信号源,经氨水溶解后产生的电活性的Ag+,结合高灵敏度的电化学方法间接检测H1N1流感病毒。通过对实验条件的考察可知,Ag-TiO2-CS标记过程简单易行,电化学反应结果提示,电介质对峰电流影响较大。实验结果表明,在优化的条件下,H1N1流感病毒浓度在1×10-5~10μg·mL-1范围内,电化学信号强度与病毒浓度呈多项式曲线关系,H1N1流感病毒浓度在1×10-5~0.1μg·mL-1范围内,电化学信号强度与病毒浓度呈线性关系。所构建的电化学免疫传感器结合了ELISA易操作性和电化学的高灵敏度,同时双抗夹心免疫法又表现出高选择性,可为新型电化学免疫分析提供新的思路。

H5N1 influenza viruses： outbreaks and biological properties

All known subtypes of influenza A viruses are maintained in wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of these viruses. Influenza A viruses are isolated from a variety of animal species with varying morbidity and mortality rates. More importantly, influenza A viruses cause respiratory disease in humans with potentially fatal outcome. Local or global outbreaks in humans are typically characterized by excess hospitalizations and deaths. In 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype emerged in Hong Kong that transmitted to humans, resulting in the first documented cases of human death by avian influenza virus infection. A new outbreak started in July 2003 in poultry in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, and highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses have since spread throughout Asia and into Europe and Africa. These viruses continue to infect humans with a high mortality rate and cause worldwide concern of a looming pandemic. Moreover, H5N1 virus outbreaks have had devastating effects on the poultry industries throughout Asia. Since H5N1 virus outbreaks appear to originate from Southern China, we here examine H5N1 influenza viruses in China, with an emphasis on their biological properties.

The evolution,pathogenicity and transmissibility of quadruple reassortant H1N2 swine influenza virus in China:A potential threat to public health

Swine are regarded as“intermediate hosts”or“mixing vessels”of influenza viruses,capable of generating strains with pandemic potential.From 2020 to 2021,we conducted surveillance on swine H1N2 influenza(swH1N2)viruses in swine farms located in Guangdong,Yunnan,and Guizhou provinces in southern China,as well as Henan and Shandong provinces in northern China.We systematically analyzed the evolution and pathogenicity of swH1N2 isolates,and characterized their replication and transmission abilities.The isolated viruses are quadruple reassortant H1N2 viruses containing genes from pdm/09 H1N1(PB2,PB1,PA and NP genes),triple-reassortant swine(NS gene),Eurasian Avian-like(HA and M genes),and recent human H3N2(NA gene)lineages.The NA,PB2,and NP of SW/188/20 and SW/198/20 show high gene similarities to A/Guangdong/Yue Fang277/2017(H3N2).The HA gene of swH1N2 exhibits a high evolutionary rate.The five swH1N2 isolates replicate efficiently in human,canine,and swine cells,as well as in the turbinate,trachea,and lungs of mice.A/swine/Shandong/198/2020 strain efficiently replicates in the respiratory tract of pigs and effectively transmitted among them.Collectively,these current swH1N2 viruses possess zoonotic potential,highlighting the need for strengthened surveillance of swH1N2 viruses.

An Overview of the Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus

Since the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza virus infection was reported in 1997, this highly pathogenic virus has infected hundreds of people around the world and resulted in many deaths. The ability of H5N1 to cross species boundaries, and the presence of polymorphisms that enhance virulence, present challenges to developing clear strategies to prevent the pandemic spread of this highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. This review summarizes the current understanding of, and recent research on, the avian influenza H5N1 virus, including transmission, virulence, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, treatment and prevention.