Cross-Neutralizing Activity of Monoclonal Antibodies Against N501Y Mutant Strain of SARS-CoV-2

The dominant N501Y mutation in the spike protein that SARS-CoV-2 virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor were found in the UK, which has aroused global concern and worried. Mutations in spike protein may, in theory, result in more infectious and spreading more easily. In order to evaluate the broad-spectrum protective effect of the monoclonal antibodies(mAbs), we compared the neutralization activities of six prepared mAbs against SARS-CoV-2 with pseudovirus neutralization assay. Only one of them showed a decrease of 6 folds in neutralizing activity to N501Y mutant strain, compared with the wild type strain. We should continue to monitor emergence of new variants in different regions to study their infectivity and neutralization effect.

Yellow fever virus antibody in human serum of epidemic areas ,Tianjin，China, 2014

Yellow fever (YF) is an acute infectious disease caused by yellow fever virus (YFV), which is one of the three infectious diseases of international health regulations. We tested people from epidemic areas of Tianjin port in 2014 to investigate the prevalence and distribution characteristics of yellow fever virus antibody. 192 samples were collected and the positive rate of yellow fever virus antibody was 22.92%. The positive rates among different countries, genders, ages, occupations and entry time were calculated and analyzed. There were significant difference in the detection rate of YFV antibody among people with different age groups and occupations. The positive rate of people 40 age and workers engaged in labor were relatively high and had statistical significance compared to other groups.

An Analysis of Quality Management in Vaccine Manufacturers of China Based on the New Vaccine Administration Law

With the application of new technologies in development and production, the quality of vaccines in China had been constantly improved, and vaccines manufactured in China were being supplied to international markets while meeting the domestic immunization program need. Meanwhile, the quality management performance of vaccine manufacturers in China was continually improving. The implementation of the Vaccine Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China had imposed legal systematic requirements on full lifecycle management of vaccines in development, production and supervision, which was of important milestone significance for guiding the development of China’s vaccine industry. Based on the understanding of this law, this article had discussed quality management of vaccines from four aspects including biosafety, application of new technologies for vaccine development and production, process changes and deviation management with practical work taken into account, intended to arouse readers’attention and discussions on this law and relevant issues and provide reference to vaccine manufacturers in production, development and product quality improvement.

A glance on anti-viral strategy target Coronavirus life cycle

Coronavirus (CoV), is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus, which is characterized by a coronal-shaped spinous process on its surface and is the largest known RNA virus. Recently, the new outbreak of CoV was first found in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019, however, the infection is worldwide and causing high pathogenicity and mortality rates, especially in the aged population. Unfortunately, there is no available strategy to control the infection or treat patients. By reviewing the life cycle of CoV infection in host cells, including: virion attachment and entry, genome transcription and replication, and virion assembly and release, we focused on the role of viral proteins in the viral life cycle and summarized how their function could be targeted for the prevention/therapy of CoV. Thus, this information would pave the way to precisely design the antiviral drug component/vaccine against CoVs.

Analysis Strategies for Rabies Prevention and Control in China

Objective To analyze the current epidemiological characteristics of rabies in China, grasp the law of epidemic changes, and provide scientific basis for rabies prevention and control strategies in China. Methods The data of human rabies prevention and control in China were systematically collected, combined with the genetic sequences of rabies virus street virus epidemic strains in various provinces of China, and statistical and molecular biological methods were used for statistics and analysis. Results The number of rabies cases and deaths in China has decreased year by year. At present, the main method of human rabies transmission in China is dog injury. Post-exposure treatment showed an increase in the rate of self-treatment, a decline in the overall immunity rate of the vaccine, and an increase in the rate of passive immunity. Human rabies vaccines are currently available to meet vaccination needs. In addition, the immune rates of dogs and cats did not change significantly. The rabies street virus strains in China are mainly divided into 6 species including China Ⅰ-China Ⅵ. Conclusion In terms of infrastructure, it is still necessary to increase the number of primary clinics, improve the professional capabilities of medical staff, and strengthen publicity and education on rabies prevention and treatment. In the areas with high incidence of cases, vaccines similar to street strain should be selected for immunization of human and animal.

Characterization of Heliothis Virescens Ascovirus 3h orf21 that Encodes a Virion Protein

Homologues of Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h) orf21 are found in 9 completely sequenced members of the ascoviruses, but so far their functions are unknown. Here, orf21 (3h-21) was cloned in-frame into a pET-28a bacterial expression vector. The fusion protein produced by this construct was used for the preparation of a polyclonal antiserum. RT-PCR analysis showed a single transcript of 3h-21 of approximately 0.7kb was transcribed beginning at 24h post-infection in infected Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Western blot analysis of extracts from HvAv-3h-infected Helicoverpa armigera larvae detected a 25.6 kDa protein late in infection. This antiserum also reacted with a 25.6 kDa protein in purified virions of HvAv-3h. The protein was not extensively modified post-translation. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that the 3H-21 is associated with the structure of HvAV-3h virions.

Resveratrol inhibits high glucose-induced activation and cytokine production of isolated primary pancreatic stellate cells

Objective: Activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) is detrimental to pancreas function by promoting pancreatic fibrosis. Resveratrol is a natural and pharmacologically active compound. This study is to investigate the effect of resveratrol on the bilogical behavior of PSCs under high glucose condition.Methods: Isolated primary mouse PSCs were cultured in low glucose ( 5.5 mmol/L glucose, LG group ) medium, high glucose ( 25 mmol/L glucose, HG group ) medium and treated with resveratrol ( 25 μmol/L or 50 μmol/L). Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay. The expression of α-SMA and collagen I were determined using Western blotting. Alpha-SMA expression was also determined using immunocytochemistry staining. IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA levels and secretion levels in media of PSCs were determined using qRT-PCR and ELISA respectively.Results: Cell Proliferation, α-SMA and collagen I expression levels, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA levels and secretion levels of PSCs were increased after high glucose treatment, compared with low glucose treatment. They were significantly decreased in PSCs treated with both high glucose and resveratrol, compared with high glucose treatment.Conclusion: Resveratrol inhibited high glucose induced PSCs proliferation, activation，cytokine expression and secretion in PSCs. Therefore, resveratrol can be potentially used in therapy of diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer where PSCs is activated by high glucose.

Thoughts on Natural Medicinal Chemistry

Natural products, with novel structures and broad biological activities, are the main sources of drug lead compounds. Over years, natural products have made outstanding contributions to the fight against viruses. Herein, the article briefly shares some thoughts about natural medicinal chemistry as references for chemists and biologists.

The Trend Analysis and Quality Evaluation of Live Attenuated Yellow Fever Vaccine in China from 2011 to 2018

To summarize the lot release of live attenuated yellow fever vaccine in China during 2011-2018 and evaluate the total quality as well as problem in quality control of the vaccine. By reviewing the data and laboratory test，34 batches of live attenuated yellow fever vaccine were determined for virus titer according to the standard for license, of which 52 batches were determined for ovalbumin residue by ELISA, and 14 batches for moisture. The determination results were subjected to statistical and quality trend analyses, and compared with those by the manufacturers，based on which the general status of vaccine quality was reviewed. All the determination results of virus titer, ovalbumin residue and moisture met the requirements in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and there is no difference in those by the manufacturers and those by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control . The quality of live attenuated yellow fever vaccine was stable, which met the requirements in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The implementation of lot release, batch inspection and trend analysis may effectively regulate and supervise the vaccine production．

Development and evaluation of a rapid DNA preparation method for PCR-based DNA virus detection

<p>We describe a simple, rapid and resource-saving method of DNA preparation from cultured cells, sera and animal tissues for PCR-based DNA virus detection. The method does not require the proteinase K, ethanol or phenol/chloroform used in conventional methods, and the entire procedure is performed in the same tube, reducing possible cross contamination between samples and the expense of laboratory ware. The protocol utilizes guanidine HCl and sodium dodecyl sulfate successively to lyse cells and dissociate proteins from nucleic acid at high temperature, and precipitates SDS and proteins at low temperature while reducing guanidine HCl concentration sufficiently to permit PCR-based virus detection. This method is extremely low cost, high sensitivity and provides a quick and effective way for clinical and laboratory virus detection, and is especially useful for simultaneous analysis of a large number of samples.</p>