Article
Microbiology
Yuyuan Huang, Jian Gong, Lingzhi Dong, Jing Yang, Shan Lu, Xin-He Lai, Ji Pu, Dong Jin, Jianguo Xu
Summary: Four mesophilic actinobacteria isolated from bat faeces in southern China were identified as two novel species of the genus Gordonia. They were named Gordonia zhenghanii sp. nov. and Gordonia liuliyuniae sp. nov.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gui Zhang, Yuyuan Huang, Jing Yang, Xin-He Lai, Dong Jin, Shan Lu, Yanpeng Cheng, Caixin Yang, Ji Pu, Junrong Liang, Ying Huang, Jianguo Xu
Summary: Four mesophilic and Gram-stain-positive strains isolated from Tibetan Plateau wildlife were identified as belonging to the genus Gordonia. They exhibit different growth conditions and biological characteristics, suggesting the presence of two novel species within the genus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yufei He, Lina Lyu, Ziyan Hu, Zhiqiang Yu, Zongze Shao
Summary: A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterium named Gordonia tangerina sp. nov. was isolated from seawater samples from the tidal zone of Guanyinshan Coast, Xiamen, Fujian Province, PR China. The strain showed high similarity to Gordonia mangrovi HNM0687(T) but with some differences. G. tangerina sp. nov. exhibited characteristics such as temperature, acid and alkali tolerance, and salt tolerance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Kun-Lin Wu, Che-Yi Chou, Hui-Yin Chang, Chih-Hsun Wu, An-Lun Li, Chien-Lung Chen, Jen-Chieh Tsai, Yi-Fan Chen, Chiung-Tong Chen, Chin-Chung Tseng, Jin-Bor Chen, I-Kuan Wang, Yu-Juei Hsu, Shih-Hua Lin, Chiu-Ching Huang, Nianhan Ma
Summary: This study developed a novel noninvasive miRNA test for diagnosing EPS. By screening miRNA profiles and combining clinical characteristics, machine learning models were able to accurately predict the occurrence of EPS.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Zhulan Yang, Zhen Zhang, Ming Chen, Zhiyong Liu
Summary: This case report describes a wound infection after pacemaker implantation caused by Gordonia crocea. The pathogen was identified using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Chanwit Suriyachadkun, Wipaporn Ngaemthao, Tawanmol Pujchakarn, Suwanee Chunhametha
Summary: A novel member of the actinobacteria, designated strain A-T 0013T, was isolated from humic soil on a bird's nest fern collected from Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, showing characteristics typical of the genus Gordonia. Based on comparative analysis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data, strain A-T 0013T represents a new species within the genus Gordonia, named Gordonia asplenii sp. nov. with several distinct features from the most closely related species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jie Lu, Yanyan Shi, Tuo Yao, Changming Bai, Jingzhe Jiang, Lingtong Ye
Summary: Gender differences in immune responses to external stimuli have been studied in many invertebrates. The study found that male oysters exhibit a more powerful immune response post-spawning, with notable alterations in specific immune parameters. Consideration of gender and subpopulation differences in bivalve immune parameters is important for future research on the impact of pathogens or environmental factors.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Yue Yang, Yanping Qin, Aijiao Zhang, Yinyin Zhou, Jun Li, Qingliang Liao, Gongpengyang Shi, Ziniu Yu, Ying Pan, Yuehuan Zhang
Summary: The Chhd gene plays a crucial role in the immune defense and apoptosis regulation of the Crassostrea hongkongensis species, providing essential information for understanding the immune mechanism of mollusks.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Philip Kam-Tao Li, Wanhong Lu, Siu-Ka Mak, Neil Boudville, Xueqing Yu, Ming Ju Wu, Yuk-Lun Cheng, Christopher T. Chan, Bak Leong Goh, Na Tian, Kai Ming Chow, Sing Leung Lui, Wai Kei Lo
Summary: The PD first policy in Hong Kong, implemented since 1985, has had a significant impact on the global approach to treating kidney failure patients using peritoneal dialysis. A recent symposium celebrating the 35 years of the PD first policy highlighted the growth and global influence of the policy, as well as the importance of PD and telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The symposium also emphasized the barriers to PD and the need for sustainability of the PD first policy.
Article
Fisheries
Wei Xie, Qi-Jia Zhou, Yi-Xiao Xu, Man Zhang, Sheng-Ping Zhong, Li-Li Lu, Heng-Tong Qiu
Summary: This study identified several immune-related genes that play important roles in Hong Kong oysters' defense against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection through transcriptome analysis, providing a reference for further research on the immune mechanism of this shellfish.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Yichun Xie, Elaine Y. Y. Huang, Wenyan Nong, Sean T. S. Law, Yifei Yu, Khan Cheung, Yiqian Li, Cheuk Fung Wong, Ho Yin Yip, Patrick W. S. Joyce, King Ming Chan, Ka Hou Chu, Bayden D. Russell, Laura J. Falkenberg, Jerome H. L. Hui
Summary: The Hong Kong oyster is a native species with scientific, ecological, cultural and nutritional importance. However, limited information about its genetics, stress adaptation mechanisms, and gut microbiota has restricted the sustainable production and use of oyster resources. This study conducted population structure analysis, transcriptome analysis, and microbiota profiling to reveal the molecular basis for the oyster's adaptation to environmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Zhe Xie, Jianhang Shi, Yuntian Shi, Zhihan Tu, Menghong Hu, Chuangye Yang, Yuewen Deng, Sam Dupont, Zhixiong Xu, Youji Wang
Summary: In this study, the effects of diel-cycling hypoxia and salinity change on Hong Kong oyster physiology were examined. The results showed that the oysters' metabolism gradually shifted from aerobic respiration to glycolysis under these conditions, and their gill functions were also affected. Long-term exposure to these conditions poses a risk to the health and growth of Hong Kong oysters, as well as the aquaculture and coastal ecosystem health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ya-Ping Sun, Bei-Bei Wang, Zhang-Ping Wu, Xi-Wen Zheng, Jing Hou, Heng-Lin Cui
Summary: Five novel halophilic archaeal strains were isolated from coastal saline sediments and sea salt in China. They demonstrated typical morphology and growth characteristics and showed high similarities with existing species. However, based on genetic and phylogenetic analyses, it is confirmed that these strains represent five new species. This is the first report of a novel haloarchaeon isolated from a marine intertidal zone.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jie Lu, Tuo Yao, Shaokun Shi, Lingtong Ye
Summary: This study investigated the toxic effects of ammonia nitrogen on Crassostrea hongkongensis using flow cytometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics. Results showed that exposure to ammonia nitrogen caused alterations in immune parameters in hemocytes and impaired the metabolic profiles of the gills.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rawirat Pansomsuay, Thitikorn Duangupama, Pattama Pittayakhajonwut, Chakapong Intaraudom, Chanwit Suriyachadkun, Ya-Wen He, Somboon Tanasupawat, Chitti Thawai
Summary: An actinobacterium strain, SW21T, was isolated from seawater collected in the upper Gulf of Thailand. It belongs to the genus Gordonia and represents a novel species named Gordonia aquimaris sp. nov. The strain showed Gram-stain positive, aerobic and rod-shaped cells, and was able to grow at temperatures ranging from 15 to 37°C and at pH 6-8. It also exhibited a maximum NaCl tolerance of 14% (w/v).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Hin Chu, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: This article discusses the main animal models that have played a key role in our understanding of the immune and viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Microbiology
Jade L. L. Teng, Yuanchao Ma, Jonathan H. K. Chen, Ruibang Luo, Chuen-Hing Foo, Tsz Tuen Li, Jordan Y. H. Fong, Weiming Yao, Samson S. Y. Wong, Kitty S. C. Fung, Susanna K. P. Lau, Patrick C. Y. Woo
Summary: This study isolated a novel Streptococcus species, named S. oriscaviae, from the pus of a guinea pig bite wound in a young patient. The oral cavity of guinea pigs may serve as a reservoir for S. oriscaviae.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anthony Raymond Tam, Ricky Ruiqi Zhang, Kwok Cheung Lung, Raymond Liu, Ka Yi Leung, Danlei Liu, Yujing Fan, Lu Lu, Athene Hoi Ying Lam, Tom Wai Hin Chung, Cyril Chik Yan Yip, Jenny Lo, Alan Ka Lun Wu, Rodney Lee, Simon Sin, Pauline Yeung Ng, Wai Ming Chan, Hoi Ping Shum, Wing Wa Yan, Jasper Fuk Woo Chan, Vincent Chi Chung Cheng, Chak Sing Lau, Kelvin Kai-Wang, Kwok Hung Chan, Kwok Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan Ngai Hung
Summary: Combined treatment with interferon beta-1b and remdesivir is more effective than remdesivir alone in the treatment of COVID-19, providing relief for symptoms, reducing viral shedding and hospitalization time, and inducing earlier antibody response in high-risk patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hanjun Zhao, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Hoiyan Lam, Chuyuan Zhang, Zheng Peng, Xinjie Meng, Xiankun Wang, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Bingpeng Yan, Jianpiao Cai, Man Lung Yeung, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: The human-derived peptide 4H30 demonstrates broad antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, inhibiting viral entry, fusion, and release.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huan Zhao, Litao Wang, Yuhong Bai, Ying Li, Teng Tang, Hong Liang, Dawen Gao
Summary: In this study, acid-modified chestnut inner shell biochar was used to immobilize white-rot fungal crude enzyme for the remediation of PAHs-contaminated soil. The maximum immobilization rate of crude enzyme reached 97.25% under optimal conditions. Immobilization enhanced the stability of the crude enzyme, with a relative activity increase of 59.32% and 49.73% after 5 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively. The chestnut-based immobilized crude enzyme successfully degraded 37% of benzo[a]pyrene in 10 days for PAHs-contaminated soils. Overall, this study explores an efficient, feasible, and low-cost remediation method for PAHs-contaminated soils and provides technical support for the application of crude enzymes in organic contaminated soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Fanfan Xing, Stephanie W. Lo, Min Liu, Chaowen Deng, Haiyan Ye, Linlin Sun, Jin Yang, Simon K. F. Lo, Susanna K. P. Lau, Patrick C. Y. Woo
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Chon Phin Ong, Zi-Wei Ye, Kaiming Tang, Ronghui Liang, Yubin Xie, Hongzhuo Zhang, Zhenzhi Qin, Haoran Sun, Tong-Yun Wang, Yun Cheng, Hin Chu, Jasper F. -W. Chan, Dong-Yan Jin, Shuofeng Yuan
Summary: The study compared the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.12.1 and BA.5.2 variants in cell culture and hamster models. It found that the BA.5.2 variant exhibited stronger replication ability in vitro and in vivo, and was not affected by immune selection pressure from vaccine-induced antibodies. By constructing a mutant SARS-CoV-2, it was discovered that the F486V substitution was not the sole factor contributing to the dominance of BA.5.2, but a combination of multiple mutations.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Haoran Sun, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Shuofeng Yuan
Summary: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, replicates in the cytoplasm and utilizes various proteins to counteract the host immune response. This review explores the interaction between the virus and host innate immunity, focusing on host sensors and viral countermeasures. The insights gained from this study may contribute to the development of novel strategies for modulating host inflammation and antiviral responses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Xiner Huang, Bingjie Hu, Yue Chai, Hongyu Shi, Tianrenzheng Zhu, Terrence Tsz-Tai Yuen, Yuanchen Liu, Huan Liu, Jialu Shi, Lei Wen, Huiping Shuai, Yuxin Hou, Chaemin Yoon, Jian-Piao Cai, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Jie Zhou, Feifei Yin, Shuofeng Yuan, Bao-Zhong Zhang, Melinda A. Brindley, Zheng-Li Shi, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Hin Chu
Summary: It has been discovered that several members of the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase families can mediate SARS-CoV-2 entry, and inhibition of these proteases significantly reduces viral replication. Additionally, the Omicron BA.1 variant has an increased efficiency in utilizing matrix metalloproteinases, while exhibiting altered efficiency in utilizing transmembrane serine proteases compared to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tian-Pei Guan, Jade L. L. Teng, Jordan Y. H. Fong, Susanna K. P. Lau, Patrick C. Y. Woo
Summary: In this study, we investigated the change in microbiome composition of wild Sichuan takin (Budorcas tibetanus) during winter and spring and analyzed the physiological implications for such changes. Seasonal variation affects the gut microbiomes in wild Sichuan takins, with winter associated with lower species diversity and spring with enrichment of cellulose-degrading genera and phytopathogens. These changes were crucial in their adaptation to the environment, particularly the difference in food abundance.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jian-Piao Cai, Cuiting Luo, Kun Wang, Hehe Cao, Lin-Lei Chen, Xiaojuan Zhang, Yuting Han, Feifei Yin, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Hin Chu, Shuofeng Yuan, Kin-Hang Kok, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Honglin Chen, Zhiwei Chen, Dong-Yan Jin, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
Summary: The development of vaccines specific against the dominant circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 is being outpaced by the emergence of new immune-evasive variants and subvariants. In this study, researchers explored the hypothesis that intranasal boosting after intramuscular priming could provide a broader level of protection. They found that intranasal boosts with the Fc-linked trimeric spike receptor-binding domain from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 induced significantly higher serum neutralizing antibodies against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron subvariants, compared to vaccination with the inactivated whole virion vaccine. This approach could potentially lengthen the interval required for changing the vaccine immunogen from months to years.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yanxia Chen, Wenchen Song, Can Li, Jiaxuan Wang, Feifei Liu, Zhanhong Ye, Peidi Ren, Yihan Tong, Junhua Li, Zhihua Ou, Andrew Chak-Yiu Lee, Jian-Piao Cai, Bosco Ho-Yin Wong, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen, AnnaJin-Xia Zhang, Hin Chu
Summary: Obesity is a risk factor for severe manifestations of COVID-19, and this study investigated the effects of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination on immune responses and reinfection in obese mice. The findings showed impaired adaptive immune responses to COVID-19 infection and vaccination in obese mice, leading to higher susceptibility to reinfection and lower vaccine efficacy. However, vaccinated obese mice were still protected from lung damage during reinfection and showed increased production of interferons. This suggests that COVID-19 mRNA vaccination enhances innate antiviral responses in obesity when adaptive immunity is suboptimal.
Article
Microbiology
Ulrich Wernery, Jade L. L. Teng, Yuanchao Ma, Joerg Kinne, Man-Lung Yeung, Safna Anas, Susanna K. P. Lau, Patrick C. Y. Woo
Summary: This study used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect all possible viruses in five lung samples from five dromedaries with histopathological evidence of adult camel leukosis and four tissue samples from two control dromedaries. The results showed that no bovine leukemia virus (BLV) or its genetic variants or any other virus was detected in the nine tissue samples.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sho Iketani, Lihong Liu, Yicheng Guo, Liyuan Liu, Jasper F-W Chan, Yiming Huang, Maple Wang, Yang Luo, Jian Yu, Hin Chu, Kenn K-H Chik, Terrence T-T Yuent, Michael T. Yin, Magdalena E. Sobieszczyk, Yaoxing Huang, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Harris H. Wang, Zizhang Sheng, David D. Ho
Summary: The identification of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Botswana in November 2021 sparked concern due to the spike protein alterations that could potentially evade antibodies. Further studies showed that the Omicron sublineages, BA.1+R346K and BA.2, are antigenically similar to the wild-type virus and pose similar risks to the effectiveness of current vaccines. BA.2 also demonstrated resistance to many neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, highlighting the challenges in developing effective therapeutic options.
Article
Immunology
Zi-Wei Ye, Chon Phin Ong, Kaiming Tang, Yilan Fan, Cuiting Luo, Runhong Zhou, Peng Luo, Yun Cheng, Victor Sebastien Gray, Pui Wang, Hin Chu, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Honglin Chen, Zhiwei Chen, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Guang Sheng Ling, Shuofeng Yuan, Dong-Yan Jin
Summary: The study describes a potential live attenuated vaccine strain of SARS-CoV-2 that is severely weakened and induces a strong immune response. The vaccine strain shows strong protective efficacy against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection and cross-reacts with multiple variants. This study provides proof-of-principle evidence for developing live attenuated vaccines using NSP16-deficient SARS-CoV-2 and lays the foundation for further preclinical research.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
