Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas P. Smith, Seth Flaxman, Amanda S. Gallinat, Sylvia P. Kinosian, Michael Stemkovski, H. Juliette T. Unwin, Oliver J. Watson, Charles Whittaker, Lorenzo Cattarino, Ilaria Dorigatti, Michael Tristem, William D. Pearse
Summary: Research has shown that factors such as temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, and population density can impact the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Policy interventions and reductions in mobility are major predictors of COVID-19 transmission rates, while summer weather cannot substitute for mitigation policies.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erik Volz, Swapnil Mishra, Meera Chand, Jeffrey C. Barrett, Robert Johnson, Lily Geidelberg, Wes R. Hinsley, Daniel J. Laydon, Gavin Dabrera, Aine O. Toole, Robert Amato, Manon Ragonnet-Cronin, Ian Harrison, Ben Jackson, Cristina Ariani, Olivia Boyd, Nicholas J. Loman, John T. McCrone, Sonia Goncalves, David Jorgensen, Richard Myers, Verity Hill, David K. Jackson, Katy Gaythorpe, Natalie Groves, John Sillitoe, Dominic P. Kwiatkowski, Seth Flaxman, Oliver Ratmann, Samir Bhatt, Susan Hopkins, Axel Gandy, Andrew Rambaut, Neil M. Ferguson
Summary: Genetic and testing data from England indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 has a transmission advantage over other lineages, showing a rapid expansion during autumn 2020. Analysis of S gene target failures (SGTF) in community-based diagnostic PCR testing suggests that B.1.1.7 is more transmissible than non-variant of concern lineages and has a significant transmission advantage, with a reproduction number 50% to 100% higher. Additionally, cases of B.1.1.7 appear to include a larger share of under 20-year-olds compared to non-variant cases.
Article
Immunology
Alicia N. M. Kraay, Peichun Han, Anita K. Kambhampati, Mary E. Wikswo, Sara A. Mirza, Benjamin A. Lopman
Summary: By analyzing data from 9 states, it was found that the incidence of norovirus outbreaks dramatically declined in April 2020, with underreporting and seasonal trends unlikely to be the main explanations. Nonpharmaceutical interventions appear to have reduced the incidence of norovirus, a nonrespiratory pathogen.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra L. Phelan
Summary: Countries can learn from climate treaties to achieve real changes in global health.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lixin Tai, Kengieng Wong, Li Wang, Li-jun Di
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had catastrophic impacts on the world. China successfully eradicated the virus in Wuhan and implemented unique strategies to suppress its spread, providing valuable lessons for other regions in fighting the threat posed by COVID-19.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenore Pipes, Hongru Wang, John P. Huelsenbeck, Rasmus Nielsen
Summary: Research on the rooting of the SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny shows that methods based on molecular clock tend to place the root in the B clade, while outgroup rooting methods tend to place it in the A clade. However, these results are statistically incompatible, and none of the methods provide strong statistical support for the placement of the root in any specific edge of the tree. This suggests that phylogenetic evidence alone is unlikely to identify the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cautioning against strong inferences about the early spread of the virus based solely on this evidence.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Virology
Allen C. Bateman, Shanna Mueller, Kyley Guenther, Peter Shult
Summary: The study modeled the impact of different sample pool sizes on test sensitivity, finding that pools of 5 can achieve 93% sensitivity, pools of 10 can achieve 91% sensitivity, and pools of 50 can achieve 81% sensitivity. It was also found that larger pool sizes may result in some specimens with higher C(t) values turning negative.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Arturo Casadevall, Susan R. Weiss, Michael J. Imperiale
Summary: The origins of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are being debated between a natural and a lab accident hypothesis, and while science can provide important information, it may not offer a definitive answer.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar, Lukas L. Wendt, Manoj Manickam, Maheswaran Easwaran
Summary: Coronaviruses can infect both humans and animals, causing a range of infections. Three beta-coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, have crossed the species barrier to infect humans. The urgent need for antiviral therapies against these dangerous viruses remains, as no approved vaccines or drugs are currently available.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryuta Uraki, Maki Kiso, Shun Iida, Masaki Imai, Emi Takashita, Makoto Kuroda, Peter J. Halfmann, Samantha Loeber, Tadashi Maemura, Seiya Yamayoshi, Seiichiro Fujisaki, Zhongde Wang, Mutsumi Ito, Michiko Ujie, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Yuri Furusawa, Ryan Wright, Zhenlu Chong, Seiya Ozono, Atsuhiro Yasuhara, Hiroshi Ueki, Yuko Sakai-Tagawa, Rong Li, Yanan Liu, Deanna Larson, Michiko Koga, Takeya Tsutsumi, Eisuke Adachi, Makoto Saito, Shinya Yamamoto, Masao Hagihara, Keiko Mitamura, Tetsuro Sato, Masayuki Hojo, Shin-ichiro Hattori, Kenji Maeda, Riccardo Valdez, Moe Okuda, Jurika Murakami, Calvin Duong, Sucheta Godbole, Daniel C. Douek, Ken Maeda, Shinji Watanabe, Aubree Gordon, Norio Ohmagari, Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi, Michael S. Diamond, Hideki Hasegawa, Hiroaki Mitsuya, Tadaki Suzuki, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: The replicative ability and pathogenicity of Omicron BA.2 variant is similar to that of BA.1 in rodents, but it shows less pathogenicity compared to early SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a marked reduction in the neutralizing activity of plasma from individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 and vaccine recipients against BA.2 variant.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Piekarska, Marta Goral, Marta Kozula, Aleksandra Jawiarczyk-Przybylowska, Katarzyna Zawadzka, Marek Bolanowski
Summary: It is important to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the thyroid gland and the relationship between thyroid status and SARS-CoV-2 severity. The virus uses angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 as a receptor and can cause organ failures through a cytokine storm. Proinflammatory molecules are elevated in COVID-19 patients, but there is no evidence of a direct impact of thyroid dysfunctions on disease severity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Irina Maljkovic Berry, Jun Hang, Christian Fung, Yu Yang, Marcus Chibucos, Adam Pollio, Jay Gandhi, Tao Li, Matthew A. Conte, Grace M. Lidl, Jay A. Johannigman, Heather Friberg
Summary: This study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 samples collected from personnel located at US/NATO bases in Afghanistan. The results showed at least 16 independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into relatively isolated compounds, including multiple introductions of Alpha and Delta variants. Some of these introductions resulted in sustained spread of the virus within and between the compounds.
Article
Immunology
Marion Migueres, Chloe Dimeglio, Jean Michel Mansuy, Florence Abravanel, Stephanie Raymond, Justine Latour, Nicolas Jeanne, Noemie Ranger, Sebastien Lhomme, Karine Saune, Pauline Tremeaux, Jacques Izopet
Summary: Using variant typing polymerase chain reaction, this study describes the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages between December 2021 and mid-March 2022. The advantage of the BA.2 variant over BA.1 is not attributed to greater nasopharyngeal viral loads.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Anoop S. V. Shah, Ciara Gribben, Jennifer Bishop, Peter Hanlon, David Caldwell, Rachael Wood, Martin Reid, Jim McMenamin, David Goldberg, Diane Stockton, Sharon Hutchinson, Chris Robertson, Paul M. McKeigue, Helen M. Colhoun, David A. McAllister
Summary: Vaccination of healthcare workers against SARS-CoV-2 in Scotland was found to reduce household transmission, indicating the positive impact of vaccination on curbing the spread of the virus.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wen-Pin Tseng, Jhong-Lin Wu, Chen-Chi Wu, Kuan-Ting Kuo, Chien-Hao Lin, Ming-Yi Chung, Ya-Fan Lee, Bey-Jing Yang, Chien-Hua Huang, Shey-Ying Chen, Chong-Jen Yu, Shyr-Chyr Chen, Po-Ren Hsueh
Summary: A seroprevalence study in Taiwan found that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was extremely low among different exposure risk populations, highlighting the importance of integrated control measures in containing the spread of the virus before effective vaccines are available.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tsung-Lin Hsieh, Wenchang Yang, Gabriel A. Vecchi, Ming Zhao
Summary: The future projection of tropical cyclone frequency is highly uncertain. Recent studies suggest that the spread of seed patterns is correlated with the spread of cyclone patterns. The relationship between seed frequency and climate perturbations can be explained using a downscaling theory.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Wenchang Yang, Yaxin Wang, Peng Zhang, Tao Wang, Chengguo Li, Xin Tong, Xiangyu Zeng, Yuping Yin, Kaixiong Tao, Ruidong Li
Summary: This study found that 4-Octyl itaconate (OI) has a protective effect on autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)-associated liver injury by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
MEDIATORS OF INFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wenchang Yang, Yaxin Wang, Chenggang Zhang, Yongzhou Huang, Jiaxian Yu, Liang Shi, Peng Zhang, Yuping Yin, Ruidong Li, Kaixiong Tao
Summary: In this study, it was found that MaR1 inhibited ferroptosis-induced liver injury by inhibiting ROS production and activating Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(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
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Benjamin A. Schenkel, Daniel Chavas, Ning Lin, Thomas Knutson, Gabriel Vecchi, Alan Brammer
Summary: This study investigates whether the outer size and structure of North Atlantic tropical cyclones will change by the late twenty-first century. Multiple simulations under different scenarios were conducted, and the results show that the projected outer size and structure remain unchanged in most of the simulations. However, there is nontrivial uncertainty in these results due to the lack of consensus among the simulations.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wenchang Yang, Kaixiong Tao, Yaxin Wang, Yongzhou Huang, Caihan Duan, Tao Wang, Chengguo Li, Peng Zhang, Yuping Yin, Jinbo Gao, Ruidong Li
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with insufficient therapeutic efficacy. Recent research has shown that necrosulfonamide (NSA) can protect against various inflammatory diseases by blocking the polymerization of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). This study demonstrates that NSA can alleviate symptoms of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mouse models by reducing weight loss and disease activity. NSA also inhibits the accumulation of macrophages and CD4+/CD8+ T-cells in the colon tissue caused by DSS. Mechanistically, NSA inhibits pyroptosis and necroptosis pathways by reducing the expression of phosphorylated MLKL and N-gasdermin D (N-GSDMD).
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chenggang Zhang, Guanxin Wei, Xiuxian Zhu, Xiang Chen, Xianxiong Ma, Peng Hu, Weizhen Liu, Wenchang Yang, Tuo Ruan, Weikang Zhang, Chuanqing Wu, Kaixiong Tao
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs)are endogenous noncoding RNAs that play vital roles in many biological processes, particularly in human cancer. Recent studies indicate that circRNAs play an important role in tumor progression through exosomes. However, the specific functions of gastric cancer-derived exosomes and the role of circSTAU2 in gastric cancer (GC) remain largely unknown.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Bosong Zhang, Brian J. Soden, Gabriel A. Vecchi
Summary: This study uses a moist static energy (MSE) variance budget framework to analyze the development of tropical cyclones (TCs) and the interactions between radiation and MSE. The results show that the interactions between radiation and MSE play a crucial role in TC development, and the vertical contributions of radiative interactions have a significant impact on global TC frequency.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kieran Bhatia, Alexander Baker, Wenchang Yang, Gabriel Vecchi, Thomas Knutson, Hiroyuki Murakami, James Kossin, Kevin Hodges, Keith Dixon, Benjamin Bronselaer, Carolyn Whitlock
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wenchang Yang, Yaxin Wang, Yongzhou Huang, Jiaxian Yu, Tao Wang, Chengguo Li, Lei Yang, Peng Zhang, Liang Shi, Yuping Yin, Kaixiong Tao, Ruidong Li
Summary: Cuproptosis, a new cell death pathway induced by copper, is associated with mitochondrial respiration and mediated by protein lipoylation. This study explores the role of cuproptosis in colorectal cancer progression. The results show that elesclomol-Cu inhibits cell viability and promotes apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, 4-Octyl itaconate (4-OI) enhances cuproptosis and inhibits aerobic glycolysis through GAPDH, leading to better anti-tumor effects in vivo.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Maofeng Liu, Brian J. J. Soden, Gabriel A. A. Vecchi, Chenggong Wang
Summary: Ocean heat uptake (OHU) is crucial for determining the rate of surface warming under CO2 forcing. Based on analysis of 30 climate models from CMIP6, we found that the intermodel spread in OHU efficiency is largely influenced by the base-state ocean stratification, particularly in the Southern Ocean. This dependency is primarily linked to ocean salinity rather than temperature, with models exhibiting weaker ocean stratification due to higher salinity showing higher OHU efficiency.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(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.