Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiawei Pei, Ye Tian, Wei Ye, Jiangfan Han, Yamei Dang, Tong Cheng, Wei Wang, Yipu Zhao, Weiliang Ye, Shuyuan Huangfu, Yu Li, Fanglin Zhang, Yingfeng Lei, Airong Qian
Summary: This study developed a novel antiviral therapeutic strategy against Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) using RNA interference (RNAi), targeting the ORF7 gene. The recombinant ORF7-siRNA was effective in inhibiting VZV infection in vitro, and nano-liposomes were successfully used to deliver the siRNA to human skin models, maintaining normal skin morphology. Transdermal administration of the antiviral siRNA showed promise as a therapeutic strategy for the functional cure of VZV infection.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonny Hertzog, Wen Zhou, Gerissa Fowler, Rachel E. Rigby, Anne Bridgeman, Henry Tw Blest, Chiara Cursi, Lise Chauveau, Tamara Davenne, Benjamin E. Warner, Paul R. Kinchington, Philip J. Kranzusch, Jan Rehwinkel
Summary: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) infection induces type I interferon (IFN) production through the cGAS/STING DNA sensing pathway, while VZV tegument protein ORF9 functions as an antagonist of cGAS, restricting VZV replication.
Review
Virology
Wei Wang, Dequan Pan, Tong Cheng, Hua Zhu
Summary: This paper reviews the discovery and identification of the skin- and neuro-tropic factor, the open reading frame 7 (ORF7) of VZV, as well as the development of a skin- and neuro-attenuated live varicella vaccine comprising an ORF7-deficient mutant, v7D.
Review
Virology
Wayne L. Gray
Summary: This article discusses the similarities and differences between varicella zoster virus (VZV) and simian varicella virus (SVV) in causing chickenpox and herpes zoster, as well as their similarities and differences in genome. The gene expression during viral latency is also described, along with the evolutionary relationship between these two viruses.
Article
Immunology
Anne A. Gershon, Michael D. Gershon, Eugene D. Shapiro
Summary: The development and application of the varicella vaccine has brought significant health benefits to children and immunocompromised patients worldwide, reducing the incidence of varicella as well as decreasing the incidence of herpes zoster. Additionally, the vaccine provides protection against the varicella-zoster virus and offers an extra layer of prevention for susceptible adults.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Ravi Mahalingam, Brittany Feia, Colin Coleman, Kusala Anupindi, Pratush Saravanan, Amalia Luthens, Amalia Bustillos, Arpita Das, Eileen de Haro, Lara Doyle-Meyers, Jayme Looper, Andrew N. Bubak, Christy S. Niemeyer, Brent Palmer, Maria A. Nagel, Vicki Traina-Dorge
Summary: Nonhuman primates are valuable animal models for studying varicella zoster virus disease. This study found that both SVV DNA and antigens can be detected in skin lesions during varicella and zoster, providing the basis for further research on SVV skin pathogenesis.
Article
Microbiology
Tomohiko Sadaoka, Daniel P. Depledge, Labchan Rajbhandari, Judith Breuer, Arun Venkatesan, Jeffrey Cohen
Summary: The variant allele in the glycoprotein B (gB) gene plays a crucial role in the attenuation of the varicella vaccine. This variant impairs fusion, virus entry into neurons, and replication in human skin cells. Understanding the molecular basis for vaccine attenuation could aid in the development of other herpesvirus vaccines.
Review
Virology
Ralph Tayyar, Dora Ho
Summary: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) are alpha herpesviruses that cause recurrent infections and significant complications, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Virus-specific tests are crucial in diagnosing atypical cases. Antiviral drugs like acyclovir and valacyclovir are commonly used, with foscarnet as an alternative for resistant cases. Prophylaxis should be considered for high-risk cancer patients, and vaccines are available for preventing varicella and zoster.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kevin M. Bakker, Marisa C. Eisenberg, Robert Woods, Micaela E. Martinez
Summary: By studying the notifications of chickenpox and shingles in Thailand, it was found that both diseases have strong seasonal incidences, with a 3-month lag between the peak transmission season of chickenpox and the peak reactivation of shingles. The study utilized 14 mathematical models to examine the biological drivers of chickenpox and shingles, estimating rates of VZV transmission, reactivation, and immunity-boosting, with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of the seasonal cycles of the two diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Gert Marais, Michelle Naidoo, Kate McMullen, Alan Stanley, Alan Bryer, Diederick van der Westhuizen, Kathleen Bateman, Diana Ruth Hardie
Summary: This study found evidence of central nervous system reactivation of VZV in a significant proportion of young adults with stroke, particularly in HIV-infected individuals.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shivam K. Purohit, Alexandra J. Corbett, Barry Slobedman, Allison Abendroth
Summary: This study demonstrates that mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are susceptible to varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection and exhibit changes in the expression of functional markers. Infected MAIT cells are capable of transferring infectious virus to other permissive cells and retain the ability to migrate and activate in skin sites.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tian Tao, Jun Chen, Kunlan Long, Lijia Zhi, Song Zhang, Shuqin Liu, Yuexian Ma, Hong Yan, Lizeyu Lv, Yue Xu, Ling Wu, Liangbin Zhao, Peiyang Gao
Summary: Meningoencephalomyelitis and visceral dissemination infection are rare but life-threatening complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in immunocompromised patients. This study reports a case of a 23-year-old male with lupus nephritis who developed VZV meningoencephalomyelitis and visceral disseminated VZV infection. The patient received intravenous acyclovir and other supportive treatments, but did not show improvement and eventually abandoned therapy due to financial constraints.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Subin Park, Na-Eun Kim, Bang Ju Park, Hak Cheol Kwon, Yoon-Jae Song
Summary: Kaempferol, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, was found to significantly inhibit varicella-zoster virus replication in vitro without cytotoxicity. It exerts its antiviral effect by blocking viral DNA replication stage.
Article
Virology
Labchan Rajbhandari, Priya Shukla, Balaji Jagdish, Abby Mandalla, Qingxue Li, Mir A. Ali, Hojae Lee, Gabsang Lee, Tomohiko Sadaoka, Jeffrey Cohen, Arun Venkatesan
Summary: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can maintain lifelong latency in neurons and be reactivated to cause diseases like herpes zoster. The cell adhesion molecule nectin-1 has been identified as a potential mediator for VZV entry into neurons, providing insights for improved treatments and preventative measures.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Peter G. E. Kennedy
Summary: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic alpha herpes virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. In addition to shingles, VZV reactivation can lead to post-herpetic neuralgia and various other neurological conditions such as vasculopathy, giant cell arteritis, segmental motor weakness, myelitis, cranial nerve syndromes, Guillain-Barre syndrome, meningoencephalitis, and zoster sine herpete. However, the limited number of reported cases and the issue of causation when neurological conditions occur without the presence of a shingles rash complicate the field.
Review
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Jia-Geng Wu, Yang Yan, Dong-Xu Zhang, Bo-Wen Liu, Qing-Bing Zheng, Xiao-Liang Xie, Shi-Qi Liu, Sheng-Xiang Ge, Zeng-Guang Hou, Ning-Shao Xia
Summary: This article provides a systematic review of the applications of machine learning in single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). It introduces the specific tasks and challenges of image processing, describes the workflow of structure determination, and discusses the machine learning algorithms and applications at different steps. The article also addresses the evaluation metrics for each task, summarizes the dynamics of technology development, and explores the open issues and potential trends in this field.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL NETWORKS AND LEARNING SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Cao Li, Guoxing Luo, Yuanjun Zeng, Feibo Song, Han Yang, Shiyin Zhang, Yingbin Wang, Tingdong Li, Shengxiang Ge, Ningshao Xia
Summary: This article describes the development of genotype-specific sandwich ELISAs for P[4], P[6], and P[8]-VP4* in the production of rotavirus vaccines. These detection systems are important for quality control and process development, and they facilitate the development of recombinant rotavirus vaccines.
Article
Immunology
Feixue Wei, Ningshao Xia, Rebeca Ocampo, Marc T. Goodman, Nancy A. Hessol, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Ana P. Ortiz, Fanghui Zhao, Erna M. Kojic, Rupert Kaul, Isabelle Heard, Imran O. Morhason-Bello, Anna-Barbara Moscicki, Alexandra de Pokomandy, Joel M. Palefsky, Luana L. S. Rodrigues, Racheal S. Dube Mandishora, Reshmie A. Ramautarsing, Silvia Franceschi, Sheela Godbole, Fernanda K. Tso, Lynette J. Menezes, Chunqing Lin, Gary M. Clifford
Summary: Age-specific shifts in HPV16 prevalence from cervix to anus suggest that HPV infections may persist longer, or occur later in life, in the anus than cervix. This has important implications for using cervical screening results to direct anal cancer prevention.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Feixue Wei, Marc T. Goodman, Ningshao Xia, Jun Zhang, Anna R. Giuliano, Gypsyamber D'Souza, Nancy A. Hessol, Maarten F. Schim van der Loeff, Jianghong Dai, Karin Neukam, Alexandra de Pokomandy, I. Mary Poynten, Ronald B. Geskus, Joaquin Burgos, Isabelle Etienney, Anna Barbara Moscicki, Maria Gabriella Dona, Maura L. Gillison, Alan G. Nyitray, Rebecca G. Nowak, Evy Yunihastuti, Huachun Zou, Carmen Hidalgo-Tenorio, Nittaya Phanuphak, Jean Michel Molina, Alice M. Schofield, Stephen Kerr, Song Fan, Yong Lu, Jason J. Ong, Admire T. Chikandiwa, Sirinya Teeraananchai, Nicola Squillace, Dorothy J. Wiley, Joel M. Palefsky, Damien Georges, Catharina J. Alberts, Gary M. Clifford
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the natural history of anal high-risk HPV infection and identifies differences among different risk groups. These findings are crucial for designing effective anal cancer prevention programs.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Wenhui Xue, Tingting Li, Ying Gu, Shaowei Li, Ningshao Xia
Summary: The global changes have led to the emergence and transmission of various biological factors, resulting in the rise of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. The study highlights recent advancements in molecular biology, virology, and genomics that have facilitated the development of innovative molecular tools for vaccine research. The strategic application of advanced molecular engineering tools can overcome traditional vaccine limitations and enhance vaccine efficacy.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Dongxu Zhang, Yang Yan, Yulin Huang, Bowen Liu, Qingbing Zheng, Jun Zhang, Ningshao Xia
Summary: We proposed an iterative denoising and clustering method based on a deep convolutional variational autoencoder and K-means++ to improve the clustering accuracy of cryo-EM images. Experimental results showed that the proposed method can generate reliable class average images and achieve better clustering accuracy and normalized mutual information than current methods.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING
(2023)
Review
Virology
Yang Shi, Zihan Wang, Shengxiang Ge, Ningshao Xia, Quan Yuan
Summary: The HBcAg is a highly immunogenic antigen and the anti-HBc is traditionally considered as a serological marker of HBV infections. However, recent studies have shown the predictive value of quantitative anti-HBc level in the treatment response and clinical outcome of chronic HBV infections. This review summarizes the clinical values of qAnti-HBc in differentiating CHB phases, predicting treatment response, and providing disease prognosis.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yi-Quan An, Shao-Lei Huang, Bang-Chao Xi, Xiang-Lian Gong, Jun-Hao Ji, You Hu, Yi-Jie Ding, Dong-Xu Zhang, Sheng-Xiang Ge, Jun Zhang, Ning-Shao Xia
Summary: This article proposes a temperature control strategy to significantly increase the ramp rates of solution temperature by switching microfluidic chips between multiple temperature zones and increasing the temperature difference between zones and the solution. A thermocycler with ultrafast nucleic acid amplification capabilities has been designed. The results show that the ramp rates of solution temperature are linearly related to temperature differences, with larger differences resulting in faster ramp rates. The thermocycler achieves 92% reduction in nucleic acid amplification time compared to conventional methods.
Review
Microbiology
Dequan Pan, Wei Wang, Tong Cheng
Summary: Infection with VZV causes chickenpox and shingles, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Detecting serum VZV-specific antibodies is crucial for clinical diagnosis, sero-epidemiological research, and evaluating the efficacy of VZV vaccine. Various methods for VZV antibody detection have been developed, and this review summarizes and compares the current methods while discussing future directions in the field.
Review
Microbiology
Mengling Hao, Jiabao Tang, Shengxiang Ge, Tingdong Li, Ningshao Xia
Summary: Herpesviruses are important pathogens that infect humans and animals. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) technology has advanced the manipulation of herpesvirus genomes, but the efficiency still needs improvement. This review summarizes the advancements and limitations of BAC-based gene editing and its application in viral research.
Review
Immunology
Yarong Zeng, Feihong Zou, Ningshao Xia, Shaowei Li
Summary: Researchers have recognized the important role of Vaccine Adjuvant Delivery Systems (VADS) in vaccine research. This paper reviews common types of vaccine adjuvant delivery carriers, discusses current research status and future trends, and emphasizes the importance of VADS in novel vaccine research. Understanding various delivery vehicles will facilitate the development of vaccine adjuvant research.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yue Huang, Jiabao Tang, Huan Yu, Qiaoqiao Song, Mengling Hao, Han Wang, Junxian Liu, Yue Dong, Mufeng Liang, Sijie Zhuang, Caihong Li, Jiangding Wang, Caihong Liang, Yingying Su, Tingdong Li, Ting Wu, Shengxiang Ge, Jun Zhang, Ningshao Xia
Summary: This study examines the value of maternal CMV serological testing in predicting intrauterine transmission in regions with high seropositivity rates. The study found no statistical association between maternal IgM antibodies and IgG avidity during pregnancy and intrauterine transmission. The presence of CMV DNAemia indicated a higher risk of cCMV infection. However, the difference in CMV shedding rates in urine was not significant.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yizhen Wang, Feibo Song, Siling Wang, Miaolin Lan, Tingdong Li, Huilin Guo, Yali Zhang, Shengxiang Ge, Zizheng Zheng, Ningshao Xia
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shaolei Huang, Yiquan An, Bangchao Xi, Xianglian Gong, Zhongfu Chen, Shan Shao, Shengxiang Ge, Jun Zhang, Dongxu Zhang, Ningshao Xia
Summary: Nucleic acid detection is a method that directly identifies the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and has advantages of high sensitivity, commendable specificity, and a short window period. A real-time PCR system based on multiple temperature zones was proposed to solve the time-consuming problem, enabling fast detection speed and high sensitivity under extreme conditions.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zihao Chen, Nan Liu, Yang Huang, Xiaoping Min, Xiangxiang Zeng, Shengxiang Ge, Jun Zhang, Ningshao Xia
Summary: In this study, a protein docking evaluation method called PointDE is proposed, which utilizes a 3D point cloud neural network. PointDE is able to capture the geometry of the point cloud and learn the interaction information from the protein interface, showing superior performance on public datasets and an antibody-antigen dataset.
IEEE-ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
