Article
Infectious Diseases
Ryohei Hirose, Yoshito Itoh, Hiroshi Ikegaya, Hajime Miyazaki, Naoto Watanabe, Takuma Yoshida, Risa Bandou, Tomo Daidoji, Takaaki Nakaya
Summary: The study evaluated the environmental stability of various SARS-CoV-2 variants on plastic and human skin surfaces, as well as their resistance to alcohol-based disinfectants. It was found that the variants had longer survival times compared to the Wuhan strain, with the Omicron variant having the longest survival time. In addition, 35% ethanol showed good efficacy in inactivating viruses on human skin surfaces.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Trenton Bushmaker, Claude Kwe Yinda, Dylan H. Morris, Myndi G. Holbrook, Amandine Gamble, Danielle Adney, Cara Bushmaker, Neeltje van Doremalen, Robert J. Fischer, Raina K. Plowright, James O. Lloyd-Smith, Vincent J. Munster
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 primarily spreads through air, but can also be transmitted through contact and fomites. Variants of concern show higher transmissibility compared to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2. While early variants of concern exhibited potential increased aerosol and surface stability, this was not observed in the Delta and Omicron variants. Changes in stability are unlikely to explain the increased transmissibility.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Aline Miranda Scovino, Elizabeth Chen Dahab, Gustavo Fioravanti Vieira, Leonardo Freire-de-Lima, Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima, Alexandre Morrot
Summary: The variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, have mutations in the spike protein that can affect the virus's characteristics, such as its ability to bind to host cells, transmissibility, and immune evasion. Ongoing genetic monitoring of the pandemic coronavirus is crucial to identify potential new variants that can bypass host defenses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anna-Lena Sander, Anges Yadouleton, Edmilson F. de Oliveira Filho, Carine Tchibozo, Gildas Hounkanrin, Yvette Badou, Praise Adewumi, Keke K. Rene, Dossou Ange, Salifou Sourakatou, Eclou Sedjro, Melchior A. J. Aissi, Hinson Fidelia, Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Michael Nagel, Wendy Karen Jo, Andres Moreira-Soto, Christian Drosten, Olfert Landt, Victor Max Corman, Benjamin Hounkpatin, Jan Felix Drexler
Summary: Intense transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa may lead to variant emergence, as seen in the 10 lineages identified in Benin that were more effectively neutralized by antibodies from vaccinees. This highlights the need for accelerated vaccination efforts in Africa.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nofar Atari, Hadas Mamane, Alon Silberbush, Neta Zuckerman, Michal Mandelboim, Yoram Gerchman
Summary: This study explores the disinfection kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 variants by 267 nm UV-LED. The results show that all variants have an average reduction in copy number of more than 5 logs at 5 mJ/cm(2) dose, but there is inconsistency, especially for the Alpha variant. Increasing the dose to 7 mJ/cm(2) does not increase average inactivation, but significantly reduces the inactivation inconsistency, making it the recommended minimum dose. Sequence analysis suggests that the difference between the variants may be due to small differences in the frequency of specific UV extra-sensitive nucleotide sequence motifs. The use of UV-LED for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 spread offers many advantages but careful consideration of UV dose is necessary.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicolae Sapoval, Yunxi Liu, Esther G. G. Lou, Loren Hopkins, Katherine B. Ensor, Rebecca Schneider, Lauren B. Stadler, Todd J. Treangen
Summary: Sapoval et al. present QuaID, a novel bioinformatics tool for detecting SARS-CoV-2 variants based on quasi-unique mutations. QuaID leverages all mutations, including insertions and deletions, to accurately detect variants early in their spread. Wastewater monitoring is crucial for surveillance on the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns in communities, especially as clinical testing declines.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Cong Zeng, John P. Evans, Julia N. Faraone, Panke Qu, Yi-Min Zheng, Linda Saif, Eugene M. Oltz, Gerard Lozanski, Richard J. Gumina, Shan-Lu Liu
Summary: This study investigates the neutralization sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants containing the Q677H mutation and highlights the increased viral infectivity and neutralizing antibody resistance conferred by the mutation. The research emphasizes the importance of epistatic interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations and the continued need to monitor VOCs carrying the Q677H mutation.
Article
Microbiology
Yuanhao Liang, Hongqing Lin, Lirong Zou, Jianhui Zhao, Baisheng Li, Haiying Wang, Jing Lu, Jiufeng Sun, Xingfen Yang, Xiaoling Deng, Shixing Tang
Summary: This study developed a CRISPR-Cas12-based system for the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants, achieved high sensitivity, and successfully distinguished specific mutations in different variants. The approach has the potential for rapid development and implementation in resource-limited settings.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Natalia Rego, Alicia Costabile, Mercedes Paz, Cecilia Salazar, Paula Perbolianachis, Lucia Spangenberg, Ignacio Ferres, Rodrigo Arce, Alvaro Fajardo, Mailen Arleo, Tania Possi, Natalia Reyes, Ma Noel Bentancor, Andres Lizasoain, Maria Jose Benitez, Viviana Bortagaray, Ana Moller, Gonzalo Bello, Ighor Arantes, Mariana Brandes, Pablo Smircich, Odhille Chappos, Melissa Duquia, Belen Gonzalez, Luciana Griffero, Mauricio Mendez, Ma Pia Techera, Juan Zanetti, Bernardina Rivera, Matias Maidana, Martina Alonso, Cecilia Alonso, Julio Medina, Henry Albornoz, Rodney Colina, Veronica Noya, Gregorio Iraola, Tamara Fernandez-Calero, Gonzalo Moratorio, Pilar Moreno
Summary: The study presents a genomic surveillance program for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants in Uruguay, including a PCR method for VOCs, surveillance workflow, and the multiple introductions and community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 P.1 VOC in Uruguay.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Philippe Bechtold, Philipp Wagner, Salome Hosch, Denise Siegrist, Amalia Ruiz-Serrano, Michele Gregorini, Maxmillian Mpina, Florentino Abaga Ondo, Justino Obama, Mitoha Ondo'o Ayekaba, Olivier Engler, Wendelin J. Stark, Claudia A. Daubenberger, Tobias Schindler
Summary: This study aimed to develop a rapid diagnostic approach for identifying gene mutations associated with SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, which can be run on various laboratory equipment. The assays showed excellent diagnostic performance and are suitable for resource-limited settings.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ryan P. P. McNamara, Jenny S. S. Maron, Julie Boucau, Vicky Roy, Nicholas E. E. Webb, Harry L. L. Bertera, Amy K. K. Barczak, The Positives Study Staff, Nicholas Franko, Jennifer K. K. Logue, Megan Kemp, Jonathan Z. Z. Li, Ling Zhou, Ching-Lin Hsieh, Jason S. S. McLellan, Mark J. J. Siedner, Michael S. S. Seaman, Jacob E. E. Lemieux, Helen Y. Y. Chu, Galit Alter
Summary: Through deep immunological profiling of individuals infected with Delta or Omicron variants after vaccination, it was found that functional S2-specific antibody responses played a critical role in the anamnestic antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can guide next-generation vaccine-boosting strategies to confer broad protection against future SARS-related coronaviruses.
Review
Virology
Abdul Aziz Al-Fattah Yahaya, Kanwal Khalid, Hui Xuan Lim, Chit Laa Poh
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic, resulting in over 673 million infections and 6.85 million deaths. The current mRNA and viral-vectored vaccines have shown good efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain, but are less effective against highly transmissible variants like Omicron. Development of next-generation vaccines is urgently needed to provide broad protection.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Liang Wang, Xavier Didelot, Yuhai Bi, George F. Gao
Summary: Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several variants of concern with increased transmissibility have been reported. Current vaccines only provide partial protection against infection and onward transmission. Through phylogenetic analysis and epidemiological modeling, researchers found that lineage B had significantly higher transmissibility than lineage A and played a major role in the global pandemic. The probability of onward transmission from vaccinated individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 VOCs was slightly lower but not significantly different from unvaccinated individuals. Tailoring prevention strategies should consider both VOCs and exponentially growing lineages in each country. One dose of vaccination alone cannot efficiently prevent the onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, and nonpharmaceutical interventions should still be implemented during the vaccination period.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jesse W. Wotring, Reid Fursmidt, Loren Ward, Jonathan Z. Sexton
Summary: Bovine lactoferrin (bLF), a naturally occurring glycoprotein found in milk, has been found to strongly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection through direct entry inhibition and immunomodulatory mechanisms. This study shows that bLF is effective against different strains of the virus, including the B.1.1.7 variant. The study also highlights the potential of lactoferrin as a clinical candidate for the treatment or prevention of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melissa Garcia-Vega, Edgar A. Melgoza-Gonzalez, Sofia Hernandez-Valenzuela, Diana Hinojosa-Trujillo, Monica Resendiz-Sandoval, Mara Anais Llamas-Covarrubias, Martin Loza-Lopez, Olivia Valenzuela, Alan Soto-Gaxiola, Miguel A. Hernandez-Onate, Veronica Mata-Haro, Irene Cassaniti, Jose Camilla Sammartino, Alessandro Ferrari, Luca Simonelli, Mattia Pedotti, Rui Sun, Fanglei Zuo, Fausto Baldanti, Luca Varani, Harold Marcotte, Qiang Pan-Hammarstrom, Jesus Hernandez
Summary: This study isolated and characterized a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) called 19n01, which has a potent and broad capacity to bind and neutralize all previously circulating variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron sublineages BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5. The antibody showed high affinity and cross-competition with ACE2 binding, indicating its potential as an effective therapeutic agent against Omicron variants.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Yannick Brueggemann, Annika Kratzel, Lea Almeida, Jenna N. Kelly, Volker Thiel, Stephanie Pfaender
Summary: A recent study identified host dependency factors, including immunophilins FKBP8, TMEM41B, and MINAR1, which regulate the macroautophagy/autophagy pathway and play crucial roles in the lifecycle of coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. These factors could potentially serve as therapeutic targets for the treatment of these emerging coronaviruses.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tobias Horst Piotrowiak, Rico Zehl, Ellen Suhr, Lars Banko, Benedikt Kohnen, Detlef Rogalla, Alfred Ludwig
Summary: The formation of single-phase regions during the fabrication of La-Co-based oxide films is observed. Due to the high reactivity of La and the low formation energies of La2O3 and La-perovskites, the reactive sputter deposition process partially resembles the chemical vapor deposition process.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lars Banko, Emmanuel Batsa Tetteh, Aleksander Kostka, Tobias Horst Piotrowiak, Olga Anna Krysiak, Ulrich Hagemann, Corina Andronescu, Wolfgang Schuhmann, Alfred Ludwig
Summary: Polyelemental material systems, specifically high-entropy alloys, have unprecedented properties, but their exploration and exploitation is challenging due to the vast number of possible combinations. However, a method combining co-sputtering and shadow masking allows for the creation of microscale combinatorial libraries, which cover a wide range of compositions and enable high-throughput characterization. By applying this method, electrocatalytic activity maps for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction reactions were obtained for two high-entropy alloy systems, identifying activity optima and lean compositions with low noble-metal content. This demonstrates the potential of these microlibraries as a discovery platform for polyelemental systems.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
J. E. Wissmann, Y. Bruggemann, D. Todt, J. Steinmann, E. Steinmann
Summary: A carrier assay based on HEV was established to evaluate its surface stability and the virucidal activity of nine surface disinfectants. The results showed that alcohol-based disinfectants were insufficient to eliminate HEV infectivity, while disinfectants based on aldehyde, peracetic acid, oxygen, and/or quaternary ammonium inactivated HEV. These findings have important implications for the recommendation of evidence-based hygiene guidelines to reduce HEV transmission.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cafer Tufan Cakir, Tobias Piotrowiak, Uwe Reinholz, Alfred Ludwig, Franziska Emmerling, Christina Streli, Ana Guilherme Buzanich, Martin Radtke
Summary: In this study, the use of nondestructive, depth-resolved, element-specific characterization using grazing exit X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (GE-XANES) is proposed to investigate the corrosion process in compositionally complex alloys (CCAs). The setup allows for scanning-free, nondestructive, depth-resolved analysis in a sub-micrometer depth range for layered materials. The findings demonstrate the potential of this approach for studying surface catalysis and corrosion processes in real-world materials.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Maria Minichova, Chuyen Van Pham, Bin Xiao, Alan Savan, Andreas Hutzler, Andreas Koerner, Ivan Khalakhan, Miquel Gamon Rodriguez, Iosif Mangoufis-Giasin, Valentin Briega-Martos, Attila Kormanyos, Ioannis Katsounaros, Karl J. J. Mayrhofer, Alfred Ludwig, Simon Thiele, Serhiy Cherevko
Summary: Liquid fuels, such as isopropanol, show potential as alternatives to hydrogen in fuel cells. There is a need to mitigate the poisoning of Pt-Ru electrocatalysts by adsorbed acetone and/or Ru oxide/hydroxide in order to improve the electric power of the fuel cells. In this study, the effect of adding Ir to Pt-Ru is investigated and the most active compositions are identified using material libraries. The catalytic activity, shelf-life, and dissolution stability of the catalysts are studied. Further optimization is needed to enhance the performance of isopropanol fuel cells.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jil A. Schrader, Thomas L. Burkard, Yannick Brueggemann, Andre Goemer, Toni L. Meister, Rebecca M. Fu, Ann-Kathrin Mehnert, Viet L. Dao Thi, Patrick Behrendt, David Durantel, Ruth Broering, Florian W. R. Vondran, Daniel Todt, Volker Kinast, Eike Steinmann
Summary: This study identified the EGF receptor (EGFR) as a novel host factor for HEV and revealed the significance of EGFR for the HEV entry process. It was found that EGFR itself and its ligand-binding domain, rather than its signaling function, is responsible for the proviral effect. These findings provide new insights into the life cycle of HEV and identify EGFR as a potential target for future antiviral strategies against HEV.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Moonjoo Kim, Emmanuel Batsa Tetteh, Alan Savan, Bin Xiao, Alfred Ludwig, Wolfgang Schuhmann, Taek Dong Chung
Summary: In this study, a method to evaluate the reorganization energy (?) of MEPBr2n+1 by scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) was reported, which allows high throughput electrochemical measurements using a single electrode with high spatial resolution. The investigation of ? on a high-entropy alloy materials library composed of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir, and Ag suggests a negative correlation between ? and the work function.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Toni Luise Meister, Yannick Brueggemann, Daniel Todt, Ronny Tao, Lisa Mueller, Jochen Steinmann, Joerg Steinmann, Joerg Timm, Ingo Drexler, Eike Steinmann
Summary: The spread of nonzoonotic monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections requires a reevaluation of hygiene measures. Evaluation of MPXV stability at different temperatures and interfering substances showed increased persistence at lower temperatures. MPXV can be efficiently inactivated by alcohol- and aldehyde-based surface disinfectants.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammad R. Nouri, Regina M. Kluge, Richard W. Haid, Jill Fortmann, Alfred Ludwig, Aliaksandr S. Bandarenka, Vitaly Alexandrov
Summary: A study shows that tunneling current fluctuations in electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) can map the electrocatalytic activity of surfaces with high spatial resolution. By using electron transport calculations, the study examines tunneling at Pt surfaces under the conditions of the oxygen reduction reaction. The results suggest that detecting reaction intermediates at electrified interfaces in operando conditions is possible based on tunneling noise amplitudes.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Krystallenia Paniskaki, Margarethe J. Konik, Moritz Anft, Harald Heidecke, Toni L. Meister, Stephanie Pfaender, Adalbert Krawczyk, Markus Zettler, Jasmin Jaeger, Anja Gaeckler, Sebastian Dolff, Timm H. Westhoff, Hana Rohn, Ulrik Stervbo, Carmen Scheibenbogen, Oliver Witzke, Nina Babel
Summary: Although the role of adaptive SARS-CoV-2 specific immunity in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is not well explored, this study found that PASC patients have a stronger CD8+ T cell response and comparable neutralizing capacity compared to controls. The persistent inflammatory response triggered by low avidity SARS-CoV-2 reactive CD8+ T cells may be responsible for the observed sequelae in PASC patients. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of the underlying immunopathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yudi Zhang, Volker Kinast, Julie Sheldon, Nicola Frericks, Daniel Todt, Matthias Zimmer, Neva Caliskan, Richard J. P. Brown, Eike Steinmann, Thomas Pietschmann
Summary: Mice are resistant to infection with human-tropic hepatitis C virus (HCV), but a related rodent hepatitis C virus (RHV) can circulate in wild rodents. This study found that the Shiftless (Shfl) gene is expressed in humans and rodents, and it restricts HCV and RHV replication by inhibiting viral RNA replication. These findings are important for understanding viral host adaptation and developing animal models.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammad R. Nouri, Regina M. Kluge, Richard W. Haid, Jill Fortmann, Alfred Ludwig, Aliaksandr S. Bandarenka, Vitaly Alexandrov
Summary: Recently, it has been proposed that tunneling current fluctuations in electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy can be used to map the electrocatalytic activity of surfaces with high spatial resolution. This study investigates tunneling at Pt surfaces during the oxygen reduction reaction and reveals that the tunneling barrier is influenced by the chemical identity of adsorbed reaction intermediates and the orientation of water species' dipole moment. Theoretical results combined with EC-STM measurements suggest that detecting reaction intermediates at electrified interfaces is possible based on tunneling noise amplitudes, and this study aims to stimulate further explorations of tunneling-based electron-proton transfers for quantum electrocatalysis.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
