Article
Mathematics
Xiao Sun, James M. McCaw, Pengxing Cao
Summary: Malaria continues to be a significant public health burden in South-East Asia and Africa. Mathematical models have advanced our understanding of within-host infection dynamics and drug action, supporting malaria elimination efforts. However, current models mainly rely on deterministic dynamics and cannot account for stochastic phenomena such as extinction after treatment. The development of a stochastic model reveals the possibility of stochastic extinction of parasitized red blood cells in malaria-infected individuals, and underscores the importance of highly effective antimalarials in curing patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hirdesh Kumar, John R. Jimah, Santosh A. Misal, Nichole D. Salinas, Michal Fried, Paul H. Schlesinger, Niraj H. Tolia
Summary: The cell-traversal protein CelTOS plays a critical role in apicomplexan parasites and malaria vaccine development. Through studying different protein regions, researchers have identified the mechanism of pore formation and critical regions in CelTOS. These findings are important for understanding the escape mechanism of malaria and other apicomplexan parasites, as well as studying the function of other pore-forming proteins.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew P. Swaffer, Jacob Kim, Devon Chandler-Brown, Maurice Langhinrichs, Georgi K. Marinov, William J. Greenleaf, Anshul Kundaje, Kurt M. Schmoller, Jan M. Skotheim
Summary: The biosynthesis of certain proteins, such as the cell-cycle inhibitor Whi5, scales differently with cell size, with histones being identified as another major class of sub-scaling transcripts. Histone synthesis is matched to genome content rather than cell size, and specific transcriptional and partitioning mechanisms can determine protein sub-scaling to control cell size, with disruption leading to weakened G1 size control.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kennedy Zembere, James Chirombo, Peter Nasoni, Daniel P. McDermott, Lizzie Tchongwe-Divala, Frances M. Hawkes, Christopher M. Jones
Summary: This study compares the sampling efficiency of different trapping devices for capturing Anopheles mosquitoes in the irrigated sugar estate in southern Malawi. The results show that the host decoy trap is effective for outdoor host seeking An. arabiensis in southern Malawi.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michelle A. E. Anderson, Estela Gonzalez, Joshua X. D. Ang, Lewis Shackleford, Katherine Nevard, Sebald A. N. Verkuijl, Matthew P. P. Edgington, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Luke Alphey
Summary: CRISPR/Cas9-based homing gene drives are a potential new approach to mosquito control. In this study, researchers successfully generated transgenic Ae. aegypti lines expressing Cas9, which significantly biased the inheritance of an sgRNA-expressing element. The sds3G1-Cas9 isolate showed the highest average inheritance, indicating its potential for driving the spread of the targeted element more efficiently.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Tsukushi Kamiya, Nicole M. Davis, Megan A. Greischar, David Schneider, Nicole Mideo
Summary: Our study revealed that high host mortality during acute malaria infection could be attributed to weak parasite clearance or inadvertent removal of uninfected cells in excess. Molecular immunology assays indicated that these two distinct mechanisms of poor survival might be due to low expression of certain inflammatory cytokines.
Article
Microbiology
Yair E. Gatt, Dana Savion, Tal Bamberger, Hanah Margalit
Summary: Bacteria adapt to their host by mutating specific genes and by reprogramming their gene expression. Different strains of a bacterial species often mutate the same genes during infection, demonstrating convergent genetic adaptation. However, there is limited evidence for convergent adaptation at the transcriptional level.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haogao Gu, Ahmed Abdul Quadeer, Pavithra Krishnan, Daisy Y. M. Ng, Lydia D. J. Chang, Gigi Y. Z. Liu, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Tommy T. Y. Lam, Malik Peiris, Matthew R. McKay, Leo L. M. Poon
Summary: Limited data is available on the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 within hosts and its relationship with vaccination. The authors found that variant of Concern (VOC) samples have more sequence variations than non-VOC samples, and breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals do not increase non-silent mutations. The study highlights the importance of understanding within-host diversity and the impact of vaccination on viral evolution.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
Yi-Hsuan Lee, Sheng-Jia Jian
Summary: This paper proposes two TEG partitioning methods, seed and similarity, to decrease the partitioning time significantly while maintaining reasonable partitioning quality compared to the snapshot method.
JOURNAL OF SUPERCOMPUTING
(2021)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Beryl Musundi
Summary: In this study, an immuno-epidemiological model is proposed to link the within-host and between-host dynamics of cholera. By analyzing infected individuals at different time scales, better insights into the spread and control of the disease can be gained. The model captures the interaction between the cholera pathogen and the adaptive immune response.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biology
Xinqi Xie, Junling Ma, P. van den Driessche
Summary: The study suggests that in HIV-infected individuals, the activation and proliferation of naive CD4 T cells may lead to the generation of helper T cells, increasing susceptible populations and causing backward bifurcation. This backward bifurcation may occur when the basic reproduction number R-0 is less than 1, and controlling the spread requires reducing the reproduction number below R-C.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Baptiste Elie, Benedicte Roquebert, Mircea T. Sofonea, Sabine Trombert-Paolantoni, Vincent Foulongne, Jeremie Guedj, Stpehanie Haim-Boukobza, Samuel Alizon
Summary: This study analyzed a longitudinal cohort in France and found that infections caused by the Alpha variant have a higher number of viral genome copies and a slower decay rate, leading to significantly higher transmission potentials, especially in older populations. There was no significant difference in peak viral copy number between infections caused by the Alpha and Delta variants.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Meixian Liu, Kairong Lin, Xitian Cai
Summary: This study introduces climate seasonality (CS) and vegetation seasonality (VS) into the Budyko framework and finds that these factors are at least as important as changes in precipitation and potential evapotranspiration in affecting evapotranspiration (ET). The results also suggest that CS and VS play comparable roles in water partitioning, with CS contributing slightly more than VS.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karan Kapoor, Tianle Chen, Emad Tajkhorshid
Summary: This study reveals the complete structure and dynamics of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 through modeling, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. The findings highlight the importance of the spike's dynamics in the recognition and binding to host cells, as well as the role of glycosylation and lipid modification in the spike's range of motion and local curvature. Additionally, the highly conserved hinge regions identified in SARS coronaviruses suggest their functional significance in enhancing viral infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Manlin Yuan, Xin Lu, Shiao-Wei Kuo, Zhong Xin
Summary: A low dielectric constant polymer with a dielectric constant of 2.62, dielectric loss of 0.0042, low water absorption, and good thermal properties was successfully prepared. Molecular models were established using density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulation, which revealed a strong correlation between the volume polarizability and proportion of non-polar domains at the molecular level with the experimental dielectric constant. The theoretically calculated values of the dielectric constant for three polybenzoxazines were in good agreement with the experimental results.
Article
Immunology
Andrea L. Graham
Summary: Laboratory mice provide valuable insights into mammalian immune systems, but their immune phenotypes often differ from wild mammals. Recent efforts to naturalize the environment of inbred mice are poised to enhance understanding of natural selection's impact on immune systems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin L. Rice, Akshaya Annapragada, Rachel E. Baker, Marjolein Bruijning, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Keitly Mensah, Ian F. Miller, Nkengafac Villyen Motaze, Antso Raherinandrasana, Malavika Rajeev, Julio Rakotonirina, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Weiyu Yu, Bryan T. Grenfell, Andrew J. Tatem, C. Jessica E. Metcalf
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown low burdens in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions, potentially influenced by factors such as climate and population demographics. Caution is needed when interpreting analyses that aggregate data from low- and middle-income settings. Heterogeneity in connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to variance in the pace of viral spread.
Article
Parasitology
L. F. Wait, T. Kamiya, K. J. Fairlie-Clarke, C. J. E. Metcalf, A. L. Graham, N. Mideo
Summary: Host and parasite factors interact to determine the outcome of infection. Initial infectious dose and co-infection with a helminth affect the within-host dynamics of malaria in mice. Increasing initial dose reduces the time to peak parasite propagation, while co-infection delays peak propagation. These interactions are key to understanding disease severity variation and can inform studies of malaria transmission dynamics in nature.
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chadi M. Saad-Roy, Sinead E. Morris, C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Michael J. Mina, Rachel E. Baker, Jeremy Farrar, Edward C. Holmes, Oliver G. Pybus, Andrea L. Graham, Simon A. Levin, Bryan T. Grenfell, Caroline E. Wagner
Review
Immunology
Andrea L. Graham, Edward C. Schrom, C. Jessica E. Metcalf
Summary: This article discusses how the immune system balances the benefits and costs in fighting infection and explains the timing and reasons for maladaptive immunopathological responses. The study found that the evolutionary genetic characteristics, coevolution with symbionts, and human demographic history collectively affect human susceptibility to overzealous, pathology-inducing cytokine responses.
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brook M. Jensen, Rachel A. Althoff, Sarah E. Rydberg, Emma N. Royster, Alden Estep, Silvie Huijben
Summary: The continued use of insecticides has resulted in widespread insecticide resistance, making it difficult to control insect populations. This paper presents a new bioassay method that allows for accurate testing of large numbers of insects at various insecticide concentrations. The method ensures consistent treatment and contact with every organism, produces specific dose-response curves, and allows for the calculation of statistically rigorous median lethal doses.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Siyang Xia, Cricket C. Gullickson, C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Bryan T. Grenfell, Michael J. Mina
Summary: Measles virus infection may increase the mortality rates of other childhood infectious diseases through immunomodulation. This study found a significant positive association between measles and nonmeasles infectious disease mortality rates in Brazil.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chadi M. Saad-Roy, C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Bryan T. Grenfell
Summary: Understanding viral evolution requires a combination of evolutionary biology and immuno-epidemiology.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luojun Yang, Sara M. Constantino, Bryan T. Grenfell, Elke U. Weber, Simon A. Levin, Vitor V. Vasconcelos
Summary: Behavioral responses play a crucial role in the dynamics of epidemics, including the adoption of mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the factors influencing mask adoption, such as social norms, perceived risk of infection, and formal mandates. The findings highlight the complex social dynamics involved and the importance of sociocultural factors and local policies in explaining cross-country variation in mask adoption speed and breadth.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Evan Mitchell, Andrea L. Graham, Francisco Ubeda, Geoff Wild
Summary: Women generally exhibit stronger immune responses and pathogens tend to be more virulent in men, which current explanations cannot account for. This study proposes an alternative explanation based on the transmission of pathogens from mother to child, using a mathematical model of the co-evolution of host immunocompetence and pathogen virulence.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel E. Baker, Chadi M. Saad-Roy, Sang Woo Park, Jeremy Farrar, C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Bryan T. Grenfell
Summary: COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as mask wearing, have been proven to effectively reduce the transmission of endemic infections. However, the implementation of NPIs in the long term may lead to the return of epidemics. The magnitude of these return epidemics depends on the infectivity of the pathogens. Therefore, managing the susceptible population remains an important long-term goal.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Edward Schrom, Ann Kinzig, Stephanie Forrest, Andrea L. Graham, Simon A. Levin, Carl T. Bergstrom, Carlos Castillo -Chavez, James P. Collins, Rob J. de Boer, Adam Doupe, Roya Ensafi, Stuart Feldman, Bryan T. Grenfell, Alex Halderman, Silvie Huijben, Carlo Maley, Melanie Moses, Alan S. Perelson, Charles Perrings, Joshua Plotkin, Jennifer Rexford, Mohit Tiwari
Summary: Defending against various types of attacks and avoiding self-attacks are the common challenges faced by mammalian immune systems and computer systems. Despite extensive research, there has been limited exchange of information between the fields of biological immunity and cybersecurity. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to compare and evaluate different defensive strategies in both fields, aiming to identify general principles of optimal defense applicable to various defensive realms.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
David J. J. Haw, Matthew Biggerstaff, Pragati Prasad, Joseph Walker, Bryan Grenfell, Nimalan Arinaminpathy
Summary: Influenza pandemics often occur in multiple waves, with an initial wave followed by a resurgence accompanied by the annual flu season. This study examines whether data from the initial wave can be used to inform the need for non-pharmaceutical measures in subsequent waves. By analyzing data from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in 10 states in the USA, the researchers developed a mathematical model to predict hospitalizations during the fall wave based on the spring wave. The model showed reasonable agreement with the actual data, suggesting that preemptive measures such as delaying school openings can be determined using this approach.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Wha-Eum Lee, Sang Woo Park, Daniel M. Weinberger, Donald Olson, Lone Simonsen, Bryan T. Grenfell, Cecile Viboud
Summary: Excess mortality studies provide important information on the health burden of pandemics and other large-scale events. This study separates the direct impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on mortality from the indirect consequences of the pandemic in the United States using time series approaches. The results indicate that the largest consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are due to the direct impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections, but the secondary impacts dominate among younger age groups and in mortality from external causes.
Article
Ecology
Liana F. Wait, Shylo R. Johnson, Kathleen M. Nelson, Richard B. Chipman, Frederick E. Pogmore, Andrew P. Dobson, Andrea L. Graham
Summary: We investigated the infection patterns and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in an urban-suburban population of raccoons. The results showed that 62.6% of raccoons were infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and 82.2% were infected with gastrointestinal coccidia. The infection status and egg count varied with factors such as year, month, age class, land cover, and coinfection status.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
