Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lu Yao, Min Liao, Jing-Kang Wang, Jing Wang, Dan Liu, Peng-Fei Tu, Ke-Wu Zeng
Summary: Cellular target identification is crucial for drug development and understanding pharmacological mechanisms. In this study, a gold nanoparticle-based photo-cross-linking strategy was employed to identify neuroprotective targets, resulting in the discovery of 13 potential proteins, including Hsp60, which was further screened for binding compounds from phytochemicals.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yisu Wang, Zoltan Sztranyovszky, Attilio Zilli, Wiebke Albrecht, Sara Bals, Paola Borri, Wolfgang Langbein
Summary: This study presents a quantitative measurement and comparison of particle morphology and optical response by combining electron tomography and optical micro-spectroscopy. The presence of an oxide layer on the surface of pure silver particles, which cannot be observed in electron tomography, is indicated through numerical simulations. This research helps strengthen the link between particle morphology and optical response, supporting the design of plasmonic nanomaterials.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yufeng Song, Wandi Zhu, Ye Wang, Lei Deng, Yao Ma, Chunhong Dong, Gilbert X. Gonzalez, Joo Kim, Lai Wei, Sang -Moo Kang, Bao-Zhong Wang
Summary: Influenza B vaccine efficacy is limited by antigenicity changes, but this study developed double-layered protein nanoparticles incorporating structure-stabilized antigens, effectively inducing broad immune responses and providing cross-immune protection against multiple influenza B virus strains.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marina Rosebrock, Rebecca T. Graf, Daniel Kranz, Hannah Christmann, Hannah Bronner, Adrian Hannebauer, Daniel Zambo, Dirk Dorfs, Nadja C. Bigall
Summary: Researchers demonstrate how simple modifications to nanoparticle surfaces can influence the resulting structure in a targeted manner, achieving 3D structures using cross-linked nanoparticles. By utilizing bridging through S2- ions, an anisotropic CdSe/CdS nanorod network structure is generated, exhibiting improved fluorescence properties without harsh conditions. This innovative gelation method can achieve adequate photoluminescence quantum yields and prolonged fluorescence lifetimes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yifan Ning, Zhe Liu, Shengsong Yang, Yuma Morimitsu, Chinedum O. Osuji, Christopher B. Murray
Summary: The study focuses on incorporating nanoparticles (NPs) into a thermotropic liquid crystal (LC) matrix using linear and dendritic ligands. The dendritic ligands showed better stability and uniform dispersion of NPs in the LC matrix compared to the linear ligand. This research provides a foundation for applications such as tunable optical displays and responsive materials.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauren E. Williamson, Kristen M. Reeder, Kevin Bailey, Minh H. Tran, Vicky Roy, Mallorie E. Fouch, Nurgun Kose, Andrew Trivette, Rachel S. Nargi, Emma S. Winkler, Arthur S. Kim, Christopher Gainza, Jessica Rodriguez, Erica Armstrong, Rachel E. Sutton, Joseph Reidy, Robert H. Carnahan, W. Hayes McDonald, Clara T. Schoeder, William B. Klimstra, Edgar Davidson, Benjamin J. Doranz, Galit Alter, Jens Meiler, Kevin L. Schey, Justin G. Julander, Michael S. Diamond, James E. Jr Jr Crowe
Summary: Antibody responses to alphavirus E1 proteins are influenced by the exposure of epitopes on the glycoprotein and their presentation on the cell surface. Therapeutic efficacy in vivo corresponds with virus egress inhibition potency in vitro, and treatment does not require Fc-mediated effector functions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jingru Fang, Guillaume Castillon, Sebastien Phan, Sara McArdle, Chitra Hariharan, Aiyana Adams, Mark H. Ellisman, Ashok A. Deniz, Erica Ollmann Saphire
Summary: Ebola virus infection induces the formation of biomolecular condensates called viral factories, which coordinate viral transcription, replication, and assembly. The authors characterized the phase separation properties and internal structures of intracellular viral factories induced by Ebola virus, and correlated these properties to important steps of viral biogenesis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brunno C. Rocha, Harish Vashisth
Summary: Self-assembly of colloidal particles with varying lobe sizes can lead to the formation of porous structures with distinct morphologies. Dumbbell particles can be used as cross-linkers to enhance the porosity in self-assembled structures. The lobe size on each particle plays a crucial role in determining the formation of different structures, with larger lobes favoring random and spherical aggregates, and smaller lobes favoring crystalline structures.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chaoyang Zhu, Liang Xu, Longxin Chen, Zihan Zhang, Yuhan Zhang, Weiping Wu, Chengxiang Li, Shuang Liu, Shuqin Xiang, Shengwang Dai, Jay Zhang, Hui Guo, Yinjian Zhou, Feng Wang
Summary: Currently, there is no method available to selectively induce antibody response to a specific conformational epitope in a whole antigen in vivo. In this study, N epsilon-acryloyl-l-lysine (AcrK) or N epsilon-crotonyl-l-lysine (Kcr) with cross-linking activities were incorporated into specific epitopes of antigens and used for mouse immunization to generate antibodies that can covalently cross-link with the antigens. This new approach allows facile elicitation of antibodies binding to specific epitopes in vivo through antibody clonal selection and evolution. The generated antibodies effectively block IL-1 beta from activating its receptor, showing potential for protein subunit vaccine development.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ye Li Mo, Michael Fischlschweiger, Tim Zeiner
Summary: This study focuses on the modeling and analysis of polymeric aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) with an immobilized phase. By using a model system composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Dextran, the ATPS with the immobilized Dextran was successfully simulated using the Koningsveldt-Kleintjens model combined with a novel incompressible elastic term. The model was validated through sensitivity analysis and experiments, showing good accordance with experimental data.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Younjung Kim, Guillaume Fournie, Raphalle Metras, Daesub Song, Christl A. Donnelly, Dirk U. Pfeiffer, Pierre Nouvellet
Summary: This article discusses recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in two cat shelters in South Korea and emphasizes the need to enhance surveillance for cross-species viral transmission from a One Health perspective.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Robert Hincapie, Sonia Bhattacharya, Michael M. Baksh, Carlos A. Sanhueza, Elisa Schrader Echeverri, Hyejin Kim, Kalina Paunovska, Ananda R. Podilapu, Minghao Xu, James E. Dahlman, M. G. Finn
Summary: The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is highly expressed on hepatocytes and can deliver ligand-bound cargo to the liver. A study showed that virus-like particle (VLP) conjugates of a high-affinity ligand were efficiently endocytosed by ASGPR-expressing cells, with the best formulation using a nanomolar-level binder. These optimized particles were taken up by hepatocytes more efficiently than other molecules or the natural ligand. In vivo experiments revealed that the targeted particles were distributed to a greater number and fraction of hepatocytes compared to non-targeted particles.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zahra Jafar-Nezhad Ivrigh, Arafeh Bigdeli, Somayeh Jafarinejad, Mohammad Reza Hormozi-Nezhad
Summary: In this study, a condition-based single component sensor array was proposed for the quantification and classification of antidepressants. By tuning the pH and ionic strength, the array achieved excellent sensitivity and selectivity in detecting the target analytes. The results of multivariate calibration and classification in human urine demonstrated the practicality of the array in complex biological fluids.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanjun Zhao, Kelvin K. W. To, Hoiyan Lam, Xinxin Zhou, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Zheng Peng, Andrew C. Y. Lee, Jianpiao Cai, Wan-Mui Chan, Jonathan Daniel Ip, Chris Chung-Sing Chan, Man Lung Yeung, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Allen Wing Ho Chu, Shibo Jiang, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: This study identifies a dual-functional cross-linking peptide 8P9R that can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry pathways in cells and suppress viral replication in animal models. The combination therapy of drugs like arbidol, chloroquine, and camostat shows promising results in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for COVID-19.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seunghwan Yoo, Sun-Woo Yoon, Woo-Nam Jung, Moon Hyun Chung, Hyunjun Kim, Hagkeun Jeong, Kyung-Hwa Yoo
Summary: This study introduces a new method for inactivating viruses using the photothermal effect of plasmonic metal nanoparticles on a filter membrane. The results show effective and immediate reduction in viral infectivity, possibly due to denaturation or deformation of membrane proteins and components caused by the photothermal effect. The method has potential applications in indoor air quality control and medical science.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yosuke Nakaya, Yasuhiro Nakashima, Naonori Harada, Koichi Yamada, Yosuke Makuuchi, Masatomo Kuno, Teruhito Takakuwa, Hiroshi Okamura, Satoru Nanno, Mitsutaka Nishimoto, Hideo Koh, Yu Nakagama, Yasutoshi Kido, Takayuki Kanno, Tadaki Suzuki, Hirohisa Nakamae, Hiroshi Kakeya, Masayuki Hino
Summary: A 29-year-old woman diagnosed with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) four years after HSCT was successfully treated with 16 weeks of liposomal amphotericin B therapy, leading to a favorable response and discharge from the hospital. This case provides essential experience for the treatment of CAPA.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nozomi Shiwa-Sudo, Yusuke Sakai, Naoko Iwata-Yoshikawa, Shinji Watanabe, Souichi Yamada, Yudai Kuroda, Tsukasa Yamamoto, Masayuki Shirakura, Seiichiro Fujisaki, Kaya Miyazaki, Hideka Miura, Shiho Nagata, Shuetsu Fukushi, Ken Maeda, Hideki Hasegawa, Tadaki Suzuki, Noriyo Nagata
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines has resulted in individual differences in immune status against SARS-CoV-2. A decay in immunity over time and the emergence of variants that partially evade the immune response can also lead to reinfection. In this study, we demonstrated that, in hamsters, immunity acquired following primary infection with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants was effective in preventing the onset of pneumonia after reinfection with the Omicron variant. However, viral infection and multiplication in the upper respiratory tract were still observed after reinfection. We also showed that more diverse nonsynonymous mutations appeared in the upper respiratory tract of reinfected hamsters that had acquired immunity from primary infection. This hamster model reveals the within-host evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its pathology after reinfection, and provides important information for countermeasures against diversifying SARS-CoV-2 variants.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Mai Kishimoto, Masahiro Kajihara, Koshiro Tabata, Yukari Itakura, Shinsuke Toba, Seiya Ozono, Yuko Sato, Tadaki Suzuki, Naoto Ito, Katendi Changula, Yongjin Qiu, Akina Mori-Kajihara, Yoshiki Eto, Hayato Harima, Daniel Mwizabi, Bernard M. M. Hang'ombe, William W. W. Hall, Ayato Takada, Yasuko Orba, Hirofumi Sawa, Michihito Sasaki
Summary: Recent studies have identified multiple divergent genotypes of RVA from various animals, including bats and rodents. We isolated and characterized RVA strains from Egyptian fruit bats and Natal multimammate mice collected in Zambia. Our results reveal the unique genetic and virological features of bat and rodent RVAs and highlight the need for further investigation of their zoonotic potential.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Yuichiro Hirata, Shun Iida, Takeshi Arashiro, Sayaka Nagasawa, Hisako Saitoh, Hiroyuki Abe, Masako Ikemura, Yohsuke Makino, Rintaro Sawa, Hirotaro Iwase, Tetsuo Ushiku, Tadaki Suzuki, Shinji Akitomi
Summary: Autopsies have provided important insights into the pathogenesis of COVID-19, but the impact of the pandemic on autopsy procedures unrelated to COVID-19 in Japan is yet to be determined. A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the status of pathological autopsy practices during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. It was found that many facilities considered cases with suspected pneumonia as suspected COVID-19 cases, even if a confirmed diagnosis was not made at the time of autopsy. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the number of autopsies for non-COVID-19 cases during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period.
PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Takuhiro Sonoyama, Satoshi Iwata, Masaharu Shinkai, Naoko Iwata-Yoshikawa, Nozomi Shiwa-Sudo, Takuya Hemmi, Akira Ainai, Noriyo Nagata, Nobuaki Matsunaga, Yukio Tada, Tomoyuki Homma, Shinya Omoto, Risa Yokokawa Shibata, Kenji Igarashi, Tadaki Suzuki, Hideki Hasegawa, Mari Ariyasu
Summary: S-268019-a, a recombinant protein-based vaccine, showed robust immunogenicity and efficacy in mice but was not sufficiently immunogenic in Japanese adults, highlighting the challenges of translating preclinical data to clinical trials.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhiping Bian, Qian Yang, Mitsuki Yoshimura, Hai Jun Cho, Joonhyuk Lee, Hyoungjeen Jeen, Takashi Endo, Yasutaka Matsuo, Hiromichi Ohta
Summary: Researchers have successfully modulated the thermal conductivity of solid-state electrochemical thermal transistors by manipulating the ordered lattice arrangement of the material, leading to improved performance.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Annie Kalonda, Ngonda Saasa, Masahiro Kajihara, Naganori Nao, Ladislav Moonga, Joseph Ndebe, Akina Mori-Kajihara, Andrew Nalishuwa Mukubesa, Mulemba Samutela, Samuel Munjita, Yoshihiro Sakoda, Hirofumi Sawa, Ayato Takada, Edgar Simulundu
Summary: In recent years, southern Africa has experienced multiple incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), with wild migratory birds being implicated in their spread. A survey of wild waterfowl in Zambia revealed the presence of various subtypes of low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (AIVs), including some reported for the first time in avian species in Africa. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Zambian AIVs belonged to the Eurasian lineage and clustered with viruses from different countries. The study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and monitoring of AIVs in wild waterfowl to understand their eco-epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics in Africa.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tetsuya Suzuki, Shinichiro Morioka, Kei Yamamoto, Sho Saito, Shun Iida, Katsuji Teruya, Jin Takasaki, Masayuki Hojo, Kayoko Hayakawa, Satoshi Kutsuna, Sho Miyamoto, Seiya Ozono, Tadaki Suzuki, Eiichi N. Kodama, Norio Ohmagari
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate if high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy disperses the virus into the air. The results showed that despite the detection of viral RNA in the nasopharyngeal samples, neither viral RNA nor viable virus was detected in the air samples regardless of the oxygen-supplementation device. Therefore, HFNC therapy does not disperse the virus into the air.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuri Furusawa, Maki Kiso, Shun Iida, Ryuta Uraki, Yuichiro Hirata, Masaki Imai, Tadaki Suzuki, Seiya Yamayoshi, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant with S-P681R and S-D950N substitutions showed enhanced spike cleavage and membrane fusion, but did not increase virus pathogenicity. While S-681R reduced virus replicative ability in VeroE6 cells, both substitutions had no impact on virus replication in Calu-3 cells and hamsters. The pathogenicity of all tested recombinant viruses in hamsters was slightly affected but not significantly.
Article
Immunology
Shiho Chiba, Peter J. Halfmann, Shun Iida, Yuichiro Hirata, Yuko Sato, Makoto Kuroda, Tammy Armbrust, Samuel Spyra, Tadaki Suzuki, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: Recombinant vaccines coupled with different adjuvants may be promising modalities to combat new variant viruses by inducing various arms of the immune response.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maki Kiso, Seiya Yamayoshi, Shun Iida, Yuri Furusawa, Yuichiro Hirata, Ryuta Uraki, Masaki Imai, Tadaki Suzuki, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: Ensitrelvir is a clinically useful oral antiviral agent that targets SARS-CoV-2 and omicron variants. Mutant viruses with reduced sensitivity to ensitrelvir were characterized in vitro and in vivo. Monitoring the emergence of ensitrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial for guiding antiviral treatment selection.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Prashant Ghediya, Hui Yang, Takashi Fujimoto, Yuqiao Zhang, Yasutaka Matsuo, Yusaku Magari, Hiromichi Ohta
Summary: Amorphous transparent oxide semiconductor InGaZnO4 (IGZO)-based thin-film transistors (TFTs) have been practically used in flat panel displays. Alternative active materials with higher field effect mobility (mu(FE)) are necessary for future higher-definition displays. This study shows that a Zn-rich composition enhances the electron transport properties of IGZO(m)-TFTs. The results provide a strategy for improving next-generation TFTs with higher mu(FE) values.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinjian Wei, Yi Yu, Yasutaka Matsuo, Liang Zhang, Hideyuki Mitomo, Yuqin Chen, Kuniharu Ijiro, Zhide Zhang
Summary: In this study, the spontaneous self-assembly of binary mixtures of small and large gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into size-segregated structures was demonstrated. The resulting structure, referred to as a bilayer-like gold nanoparticle vesicle (GNV), resembled the molecular bilayer structure of a liposome. This approach provides a new method for creating biomimetic bilayer capsules with different physical properties.
