Arbidol attenuates liver fibrosis and activation of hepatic stellate cells by blocking TGF- β1 signaling
In this study, we investigated the impact of ARB on liver injury/fibrosis in bile duct ligated (BDL) mice and its effect on spontaneous and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced activation of primary cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Oral administration of ARB significantly ameliorated BDL-induced liver injury/fibrosis as reflected by decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), reduced collagen deposition, and diminished mRNA expression of fibrosis markers. ARB notably inhibited spontaneous and TGF-β1-induced activation of primary cultured HSCs. Moreover, AR...
Source: European Journal of Pharmacology - February 7, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Younan Ren Ying Chen Emily H Tang Yixin Hu Bo Niu Huaduan Liang Chuchu Xi Fang Zhao Zhengyu Cao Source Type: research
Antiviral responses versus virus-induced cellular shutoff: a game of thrones between influenza A virus NS1 and SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1
Following virus recognition of host cell receptors and viral particle/genome internalization, viruses replicate in the host via hijacking essential host cell machinery components to evade the provoked antiviral innate immunity against the invading pathogen. Respiratory viral infections are usually acute with the ability to activate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in/on host cells, resulting in the production and release of interferons (IFNs), proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) to reduce virus fitness and mitigate infection. Nevertheless, the game between viruses and the host is a co...
Source: Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology - February 5, 2024 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research
Evolution of human H3N2 influenza virus receptor specificity has substantially expanded the receptor-binding domain site
Cell Host Microbe. 2024 Feb 14;32(2):261-275.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.01.003. Epub 2024 Feb 1.ABSTRACTHemagglutinins (HAs) from human influenza viruses descend from avian progenitors that bind α2-3-linked sialosides and must adapt to glycans with α2-6-linked sialic acids on human airway cells to transmit within the human population. Since their introduction during the 1968 pandemic, H3N2 viruses have evolved over the past five decades to preferentially recognize human α2-6-sialoside receptors that are elongated through addition of poly-LacNAc. We show that more recent H3N2 viruses now make increasingly complex inter...
Source: Cell Host and Microbe - February 2, 2024 Category: Microbiology Authors: Andrew J Thompson Nicholas C Wu Angeles Canales Chika Kikuchi Xueyong Zhu Beatriz Fern ández de Toro Francisco J Ca ñada Charli Worth Shengyang Wang Ryan McBride Wenjie Peng Corwin M Nycholat Jes ús Jiménez-Barbero Ian A Wilson James C Paulson Source Type: research
Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Statement-Recommendations on Fractional Influenza Vaccine Dosing in the Event of a Shortage: Pandemic preparedness
CONCLUSION: NACI recommended that, in the event of a significant population-level shortage of influenza vaccine, a full-dose influenza vaccine should continue to be used, and existing vaccine supply should be prioritized for those considered to be at high risk or capable of transmitting to those at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalizations. NACI recommended against the use of fractional doses of influenza vaccine in any population.PMID:38298904 | PMC:PMC10826877 | DOI:10.14745/ccdr.v49i04a01 (Source: Can Commun Dis Rep)
Source: Can Commun Dis Rep - February 1, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Angela Sinilaite Pamela Doyon-Plourde Kelsey Young Robyn Harrison Source Type: research
Intolerance of uncertainty and mental health in China “Post-pandemic” age: The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation
This study focused on the impact of the intolerance of uncertainty for COVID-19 (IUC) on the emotional and mental health of college students in China “Post-pandemic” age. This study examined the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) b etween IUC and mental health (MH). 1,281 university students in China were surveyed using the intolerance of uncertainty for COVID-19 scale, the difficulties in emotion regulation scale and the mental health scale. A structural equation model was used to test the hypothesis model, and it was shown t hat IUC had a significant negative effect on the MH of college studen...
Source: PLoS One - February 1, 2024 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Zi-Hao Gao Source Type: research
Impact of COVID-19 on Vaccination Rates Among Pregnant Patients
Influenza and tetanus toxoid reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) are two safe and effective vaccines that are recommended in pregnancy. Despite this, significant vaccine hesitancy exists in pregnancy. However, impact of the COVID pandemic on vaccine hesitancy is not well understood. Thus, we sought to compare impact of COVID-19 pandemic on influenza and Tdap vaccination rates in pregnant patients. (Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology - February 1, 2024 Category: OBGYN Authors: Njagu R, Brucker A, Feng K, Lunn S, Greene M, Swamy G, Dotters-Katz S Source Type: research
Changes of influenza vaccination rate and associated influencing factors after the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, China
Volume 20, Issue 1, December 2024 . (Source: Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics)
Source: Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics - February 1, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Geyang SunLi ZhangYe QiuYilin JiaYuanping WangHongmei XuAnran ZhangLipeng HaoWeiping ZhuChuchu YeAcute infectious disease control and prevention Department, Shanghai Pudong New Area Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China Source Type: research
Antiviral Effects and Mechanisms of Green Tea Catechins on Influenza: A Perception on Combating Symptoms from COVID-19
Curr Top Med Chem. 2024;24(1):60-73. doi: 10.2174/0115680266251803230925075508.ABSTRACTOver the centuries, influenza and its associated epidemics have been a serious public health problem. Although vaccination and medications (such as neuraminidase inhibitors) are the mainstay of pharmacological approaches to prevent and treat influenza, however, frequent mutations in the influenza genome often result in treatment failure and resistance to standard medications which limit their effectiveness. In recent years, green tea catechins have been evaluated as potential anti-influenza agents. Herein, in this review, we highlighted ...
Source: Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry - January 31, 2024 Category: Chemistry Authors: Gene Chi Wai Man Xu Zheng Sze Wan Hung Loucia Kit Ying Chan Tao Zhang Xiaoyan Chen Kai On Chu Ian Chung Yuen Huen Darren Wang Yip Lui Alfred Ding Wong Chi Chiu Wang Source Type: research
Descriptive analysis to assess seasonal patterns of COVID-19 and influenza in low-income and middle-income countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America
Conclusions
These results can inform public health strategies. The lack of observed seasonal behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining year-round vaccination rather than implementing seasonal campaigns. Further research investigating the influence of climate conditions, social behaviour and year-round preventive measures could be fundamental for shaping appropriate policies related to COVID-19 and respiratory viral disease control in low-income and middle-income countries as COVID-19 variant data and epidemiologic patterns accrue over time. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - January 31, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Kyaw, M. H., Spinardi, J. R., Jagun, O., Franco Villalobos, C., Kapetanakis, V., Sharf-Williams, R., Yarnoff, B. Tags: Open access, Infectious diseases, COVID-19 Source Type: research
Risk factor associations for severe COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia in people with diabetes to inform future pandemic preparations: UK population-based cohort study
Conclusions
Clinical risk factors of high HbA1c and severe obesity are consistently associated with severe outcomes from COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia, especially in younger people. In contrast, associations with sociodemographic risk factors differed by type of respiratory infection. This emphasises that risk stratification should be specific to individual respiratory infections. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - January 31, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Hopkins, R., Young, K. G., Thomas, N. J., Godwin, J., Raja, D., Mateen, B. A., Challen, R. J., Vollmer, S. J., Shields, B. M., McGovern, A. P., Dennis, J. M. Tags: Open access, Diabetes and Endocrinology, COVID-19 Source Type: research
Application of the Time Derivative (TD) Method for Early Alert of Influenza Epidemics
CONCLUSION: The TD method is a time series analysis that enables early epidemic alert in real-time without relying on past epidemic information. It can be considered as an alternative approach when it is challenging to set an epidemic threshold based on past period information. This situation may arise when there has been a change in the typical seasonal epidemic pattern of various respiratory viruses, including influenza, following the COVID-19 pandemic.PMID:38288541 | PMC:PMC10825455 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e40 (Source: J Korean Med Sci)
Source: J Korean Med Sci - January 30, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Seul-Ki Kang Woo-Sik Son Bryan Inho Kim Source Type: research
Prevalence and Burden of Human Adenovirus-Associated Acute Respiratory Illness in the Republic of Korea Military, 2013 to 2022
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that HAdV posed a significant public health concern within the Korean military prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the potential for a resurgence of outbreaks in the post-COVID-19 era, proactive measures, such as education, environmental improvements, and the development of HAdV vaccines, are crucial for effectively preventing future outbreaks.PMID:38288539 | PMC:PMC10825453 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e38 (Source: J Korean Med Sci)
Source: J Korean Med Sci - January 30, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Donghoon Kim Eunyoung Lee Jungmin Eom Yeonjae Kim Soon-Hwan Kwon Hong Sang Oh Kyungmin Huh Hyesook Park Jaehun Jung Bomi Park Source Type: research
Comparative analysis and prediction of avian influenza in Shangrao city, China from 2016 to 2022
Virology. 2024 Jan 24;592:109995. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.109995. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vaccination, COVID-19 pandemic and migration of migratory birds on the avian influenza positivity rate in Shangrao City and to predict the future avian influenza positivity rate. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect nucleic acids of avian influenza A viruses. 1795 samples were collected between 2016 and 2022, of which 1086 were positive. In addition, there were seven human cases of avian influenza. The results showed that t...
Source: Virology - January 30, 2024 Category: Virology Authors: Kang Fang Wentao Song Yanyan Zhang Yiyang Zheng Chen You Jianhai Hu Li Liu Lei Feng Zeyu Zhao Yunkang Zhao Jiayi Wang Xiaolan Wang Lin Zhu Tianmu Chen Source Type: research
Application of the Time Derivative (TD) Method for Early Alert of Influenza Epidemics
CONCLUSION: The TD method is a time series analysis that enables early epidemic alert in real-time without relying on past epidemic information. It can be considered as an alternative approach when it is challenging to set an epidemic threshold based on past period information. This situation may arise when there has been a change in the typical seasonal epidemic pattern of various respiratory viruses, including influenza, following the COVID-19 pandemic.PMID:38288541 | PMC:PMC10825455 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e40 (Source: Journal of Korean Medical Science)
Source: Journal of Korean Medical Science - January 30, 2024 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Seul-Ki Kang Woo-Sik Son Bryan Inho Kim Source Type: research
Prevalence and Burden of Human Adenovirus-Associated Acute Respiratory Illness in the Republic of Korea Military, 2013 to 2022
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that HAdV posed a significant public health concern within the Korean military prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the potential for a resurgence of outbreaks in the post-COVID-19 era, proactive measures, such as education, environmental improvements, and the development of HAdV vaccines, are crucial for effectively preventing future outbreaks.PMID:38288539 | PMC:PMC10825453 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e38 (Source: Journal of Korean Medical Science)
Source: Journal of Korean Medical Science - January 30, 2024 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Donghoon Kim Eunyoung Lee Jungmin Eom Yeonjae Kim Soon-Hwan Kwon Hong Sang Oh Kyungmin Huh Hyesook Park Jaehun Jung Bomi Park Source Type: research
