bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Characterization of Recombinase-Based Isothermal Amplification Assays (RPA/RAA) for the Rapid Detection of Monkeypox Virus
Authors: Mao Lingjing , Ying Jiaxu , Selekon Benjamin , Gonofio Ella , Wang Xiaoxia , Nakoune Emmanuel , Wong Gary , Berthet Nicolas
Published: September 2022

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), in which outbreaks mainly occurred in West and Central Africa, with only sporadic spillovers to countries outside Africa due to international travel or close contact with wildlife. During May 2022, multiple countries in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Asia, and Africa reported near-simultaneous outbreaks of MPXV, the first time that patient clusters were reported over such a large geographical area. Cases have no known epidemiological links to MPXV-endemic countries in West or Central Africa. Real-time PCR is currently the gold standard for MPXV diagnostics, but it requires trained laboratory personnel and specialized equipment, and results can only be obtained after several hours. A rapid and simple-to-operate point-of-care diagnostic test for MPXV is crucial for limiting its spread and controlling outbreaks. Here, three recombinase-based isothermal amplification assays (RPA/RAA) for the rapid detection of MPXV isolates were developed. These three assays target the MPXV G2R gene, and the limit of detection for these systems is approximately 100 copies of DNA per reaction. The assays were found to be specific and non-cross reactive against other pox viruses, such as vaccinia virus, and the results can be visualized within 20–30 min. The assays were validated with DNA extracted from 19 clinical samples from suspected or confirmed MPXV patients from Central Africa, and found to be consistent with findings from traditional qPCR. These results provide a solid platform for the early diagnosis of potential MPXV cases, and will help with the control and prevention of current and future outbreaks.
Promiscuous Inflammasomes: The False Dichotomy of RNA/DNA Virus-Induced Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptosis
Authors: Wallace Hannah L. , Russell Rodney S.
Published: September 2022

It is well-known that viruses activate various inflammasomes, which can initiate the programmed cell death pathway known as pyroptosis, subsequently leading to cell lysis and release of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. This pathway can be triggered by various sensors, including, but not limited to, NLRP3, AIM2, IFI16, RIG-I, and NLRC4. Many viruses are known either to activate or inhibit inflammasomes as a part of the innate immune response or as a mechanism of pathogenesis. Early research in the field of virus-induced pyroptosis suggested a dichotomy, with RNA viruses activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and DNA viruses activating the AIM2 inflammasome. More recent research has shown that this dichotomy may not be as distinct as once thought. It seems many viruses activate multiple inflammasome sensors. Here, we detail which viruses fit the dichotomy as well as many that appear to defy this clearly false dichotomy. It seems likely that most, if not all, viruses activate multiple inflammasome sensors, and future research should focus on expanding our understanding of inflammasome activation in a variety of tissue types as well as virus activation of multiple inflammasomes, challenging biases that stemmed from early literature in this field. Here, we review primarily research performed on human viruses but also include details regarding animal viruses whenever possible.
Model-Based Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Hospitalization and Outcome in Germany, the Federal States and Districts
Authors: Dings Christiane , Götz Katharina Martha , Och Katharina , Sihinevich Iryna , Werthner Quirin , Smola Sigrun , Bliem Marc , Mahfoud Felix , Volk Thomas , Kreuer Sascha , Rissland Jürgen , Selzer Dominik , Lehr Thorsten
Published: September 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic challenged many national health care systems, with hospitals reaching capacity limits of intensive care units (ICU). Thus, the estimation of acute local burden of ICUs is critical for appropriate management of health care resources. In this work, we applied non-linear mixed effects modeling to develop an epidemiological SARS-CoV-2 infection model for Germany, with its 16 federal states and 400 districts, that describes infections as well as COVID-19 inpatients, ICU patients with and without mechanical ventilation, recoveries, and fatalities during the first two waves of the pandemic until April 2021. Based on model analyses, covariates influencing the relation between infections and outcomes were explored. Non-pharmaceutical interventions imposed by governments were found to have a major impact on the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. Patient age and sex, the spread of variant B.1.1.7, and the testing strategy (number of tests performed weekly, rate of positive tests) affected the severity and outcome of recorded cases and could reduce the observed unexplained variability between the states. Modeling could reasonably link the discrepancies between fine-grained model simulations of the 400 German districts and the reported number of available ICU beds to coarse-grained COVID-19 patient distribution patterns within German regions.
Usutu, West Nile, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Viruses
Authors: Simonin Yannick
Published: September 2022

The beginning decades of the 21st century have been marked by multiple emergence and re-emergence phenomena of viral diseases [...]
Antiviral Immunoglobulins of Chicken Egg Yolk for Potential Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Ravlo Erlend , Evensen Lasse , Sanson Gorm , Hildonen Siri , Ianevski Aleksandr , Skjervold Per Olav , Ji Ping , Wang Wei , Kaarbø Mari , Kaynova Gerda Dominyka , Kainov Denis E. , Bjørås Magnar
Published: September 2022

Background: Some viruses cause outbreaks, which require immediate attention. Neutralizing antibodies could be developed for viral outbreak management. However, the development of monoclonal antibodies is often long, laborious, and unprofitable. Here, we report the development of chicken polyclonal neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: Layers were immunized twice with 14-day intervals using the purified receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2/Wuhan or SARS-CoV-2/Omicron. Eggs were harvested 14 days after the second immunization. Polyclonal IgY antibodies were extracted. Binding of anti-RBD IgYs was analyzed by immunoblot and indirect ELISA. Furthermore, the neutralization capacity of anti-RBD IgYs was measured in Vero-E6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2-mCherry/Wuhan and SARS-CoV-2/Omicron using fluorescence and/or cell viability assays. In addition, the effect of IgYs on the expression of SARS-CoV-2 and host cytokine genes in the lungs of Syrian Golden hamsters was examined using qRT-PCR. Results: Anti-RBD IgYs efficiently bound viral RBDs in situ, neutralized the virus variants in vitro, and lowered viral RNA amplification, with minimal alteration of virus-mediated immune gene expression in vivo. Conclusions: Altogether, our results indicate that chicken polyclonal IgYs can be attractive targets for further pre-clinical and clinical development for the rapid management of outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging viruses.
A Secreted Form of the Hepatitis E Virus ORF2 Protein: Design Strategy, Antigenicity and Immunogenicity
Authors: Chen Zihao , Guo Shaoqi , Li Guanghui , Ying Dong , Wen Guiping , Fang Mujin , Wang Yingbin , Tang Zimin , Zheng Zizheng , Xia Ningshao
Published: September 2022

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important public health burden worldwide, causing approximately 20 million infections and 70,000 deaths annually. The viral capsid protein is encoded by open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of the HEV genome. Most ORF2 protein present in body fluids is the glycosylated secreted form of the protein (ORF2S). A recent study suggested that ORF2S is not necessary for the HEV life cycle. A previously reported efficient HEV cell culture system can be used to understand the origin and life cycle of ORF2S but is not sufficient for functional research. A more rapid and productive method for yielding ORF2S could help to study its antigenicity and immunogenicity. In this study, the ORF2S (tPA) expression construct was designed as a candidate tool. A set of representative anti-HEV monoclonal antibodies was further used to map the functional antigenic sites in the candidates. ORF2S (tPA) was used to study antigenicity and immunogenicity. Indirect ELISA revealed that ORF2S (tPA) was not antigenically identical to HEV 239 antigen (p239). The ORF2S-specific antibodies were successfully induced in one-dose-vaccinated BALB/c mice. The ORF2S-specific antibody response was detected in plasma from HEV-infected patients. Recombinant ORF2S (tPA) can act as a decoy to against B cells. Altogether, our study presents a design strategy for ORF2S expression and indicates that ORF2S (tPA) can be used for functional and structural studies of the HEV life cycle.
Single Nucleotide Variants of the Human TIM-1 IgV Domain with Reduced Ability to Promote Viral Entry into Cells
Authors: Hattori Takanari , Saito Takeshi , Miyamoto Hiroko , Kajihara Masahiro , Igarashi Manabu , Takada Ayato
Published: September 2022

Human T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 1 (hTIM-1) is known to promote cellular entry of enveloped viruses. Previous studies suggested that the polymorphisms of hTIM-1 affected its function. Here, we analyzed single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of hTIM-1 to determine their ability to promote cellular entry of viruses using pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV). We obtained hTIM-1 sequences from a public database (Ensembl genome browser) and identified 35 missense SNVs in 3 loops of the hTIM-1 immunoglobulin variable (IgV) domain, which had been reported to interact with the Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in the viral envelope. HEK293T cells transiently expressing wildtype hTIM-1 or its SNV mutants were infected with VSIVs pseudotyped with filovirus or arenavirus GPs, and their infectivities were compared. Eleven of the thirty-five SNV substitutions reduced the efficiency of hTIM-1-mediated entry of pseudotyped VSIVs. These SNV substitutions were found not only around the PS-binding pocket but also in other regions of the molecule. Taken together, our findings suggest that some SNVs of the hTIM-1 IgV domain have impaired ability to interact with PS and/or viral GPs in the viral envelope, which may affect the hTIM-1 function to promote viral entry into cells.
Optimization of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Treatments Based on Curcumin, Used Alone or Employed as a Photosensitizer
Authors: Zupin Luisa , Fontana Francesco , Clemente Libera , Borelli Violetta , Ricci Giuseppe , Ruscio Maurizio , Crovella Sergio
Published: September 2022

Curcumin, the bioactive compound of the spice Curcuma longa, has already been reported as a potential COVID-19 adjuvant treatment due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 was challenged with curcumin; moreover, curcumin was also coupled with laser light at 445 nm in a photodynamic therapy approach. Curcumin at a concentration of 10 μM, delivered to the virus prior to inoculation on cell culture, inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication (reduction >99%) in Vero E6 cells, possibly due to disruption of the virion structure, as observed using the RNase protection assay. However, curcumin was not effective as a prophylactic treatment on already-infected Vero E6 cells. Notably, when curcumin was employed as a photosensitizer and blue laser light at 445 nm was delivered to a mix of curcumin/virus prior to the inoculation on the cells, virus inactivation was observed (>99%) using doses of curcumin that were not antiviral by themselves. Photodynamic therapy employing crude curcumin can be suggested as an antiviral option against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Genomic Sequencing and Phylogenomics of Cowpox Virus
Authors: Diaz-Cánova Diana , Mavian Carla , Brinkmann Annika , Nitsche Andreas , Moens Ugo , Okeke Malachy Ifeanyi
Published: September 2022

Cowpox virus (CPXV; genus Orthopoxvirus; family Poxviridae) is the causative agent of cowpox, a self-limiting zoonotic infection. CPXV is endemic in Eurasia, and human CPXV infections are associated with exposure to infected animals. In the Fennoscandian region, five CPXVs isolated from cats and humans were collected and used in this study. We report the complete sequence of their genomes, which ranged in size from 220–222 kbp, containing between 215 and 219 open reading frames. The phylogenetic analysis of 87 orthopoxvirus strains, including the Fennoscandian CPXV isolates, confirmed the division of CPXV strains into at least five distinct major clusters (CPXV-like 1, CPXV-like 2, VACV-like, VARV-like and ECTV-Abatino-like) and can be further divided into eighteen sub-species based on the genetic and patristic distances. Bayesian time-scaled evolutionary history of CPXV was reconstructed employing concatenated 62 non-recombinant conserved genes of 55 CPXV. The CPXV evolution rate was calculated to be 1.65 × 10−5 substitution/site/year. Our findings confirmed that CPXV is not a single species but a polyphyletic assemblage of several species and thus, a reclassification is warranted.
Influence of Host Sialic Acid Receptors Structure on the Host Specificity of Influenza Viruses
Authors: Zhao Chuankuo , Pu Juan
Published: September 2022

Influenza viruses need to use sialic acid receptors to invade host cells, and the α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialic acids glycosidic bonds linking the terminal sialic acids are generally considered to be the most important factors influencing the cross-species transmission of the influenza viruses. The development of methods to detect the binding of influenza virus HA proteins to sialic acid receptors, as well as the development of glycobiological techniques, has led to a richer understanding of the structure of the sialylated glycan in influenza virus hosts. It was found that, in addition to the sialic acid glycosidic bond, sialic acid variants, length of the sialylated glycan, Gal-GlcNAc-linked glycosidic bond within the sialylated glycan, and sulfation/fucosylation of the GlcNAc within the sialylated glycan all affect the binding properties of influenza viruses to the sialic acid receptors, thus indirectly affecting the host specificity of influenza viruses. This paper will review the sialic acid variants, internal structural differences of sialylated glycan molecules that affect the host specificity of influenza viruses, and distribution characteristics of sialic acid receptors in influenza virus hosts, in order to provide a more reliable theoretical basis for the in-depth investigation of cross-species transmission of influenza viruses and the development of new antiviral drugs.
Cytokine Profiling of Amniotic Fluid from Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Bourgon Nicolas , Fitzgerald Wendy , Aschard Hugues , Magny Jean-François , Guilleminot Tiffany , Stirnemann Julien , Romero Roberto , Ville Yves , Margolis Leonid , Leruez-Ville Marianne
Published: September 2022

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is frequent and potentially severe. The immunobiology of cCMV infection is poorly understood, involving cytokines that could be carried within or on the surface of extracellular vesicles (EV). We investigated intra-amniotic cytokines, mediated or not by EV, in cCMV infection. Methods: Forty infected fetuses following early maternal primary infection and forty negative controls were included. Infected fetuses were classified according to severity at birth: asymptomatic, moderately or severely symptomatic. Following the capture of EV in amniotic fluid (AF), the concentrations of 38 cytokines were quantified. The association with infection and its severity was determined using univariate and multivariate analysis. A prediction analysis based on principal component analysis was conducted. Results: cCMV infection was nominally associated with an increase in six cytokines, mainly soluble (IP-10, IL-18, ITAC, and TRAIL). EV-associated IP-10 was also increased in cases of fetal infection. Severity of fetal infection was nominally associated with an increase in twelve cytokines, including five also associated with fetal infection. A pattern of specific increase in six proteins fitted severely symptomatic infection, including IL-18soluble, TRAILsoluble, CRPsoluble, TRAILsurface, MIGinternal, and RANTESinternal. Conclusion: Fetal infection and its severity are associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in Th1 immune response.
Outcomes in Pregnant Persons Immunized with a Cell-Based Quadrivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Robinson Christopher , Van Boxmeer Josephine , Tilson Hugh , Scialli Anthony , Vanchiere John A. , Ides Ellis , Sawlwin Daphne , Molrine Deborah , Hohenboken Matthew , Edelman Jonathan , Albano Jessica D.
Published: September 2022

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy and infant outcomes among persons immunized with a cell-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4c) during routine pregnancy care. Design: Prospective observational cohort. Setting: US-based obstetrics/gynecology clinics. Population: Pregnant persons. This US-based, prospective observational cohort study evaluated the safety of quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4c; Flucelvax® Quad) in pregnant persons immunized over 3 influenza seasons between 2017 and 2020. Pregnant persons were immunized with IIV4c as part of routine care, after which their health care provides HCPs with all observational data to a single coordinating center. Follow-up data were collected at the end of the second trimester and/or at the time of pregnancy outcome. A scientific advisory committee reviewed the data. Prevalence point estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Pregnancy outcomes included: live birth, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, elective termination, and maternal death. Infant outcomes included: preterm birth (<37 weeks gestational age), low birth weight (<2500 g), or major congenital malformations (MCMs). Of the 665 evaluable participants, 659 (99.1%) had a live birth. No stillbirths (0% [95% CI 0.0–0.6]), 4 spontaneous abortions (1.9% [0.5–4.8]), and 1 elective termination (0.5% [0.0–2.6]) were reported. Among 673 infants, 9.2% (upper 95% CI 11.5%) were born prematurely, 5.8% (upper 95% CI 7.6%) had low birth weight, and 1.9% (upper 95% CI 3.1%) were reported to have an MCM. No maternal deaths were reported. Of the 2 infants who died shortly after birth, one was adjudicated as not related to the vaccine; the other’s cause could not be determined due to maternal loss to follow-up. The prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes or preterm birth, low birth weight, or MCMs in newborns was similar in persons vaccinated with IIV4c compared to the rates observed in US surveillance systems. The safety profile of IIV4c in pregnant persons is consistent with previously studied influenza vaccines.
Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination: A Survey of Chinese Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Yi Zixi , Yao Zhongqiang , Xu Dan , Xu Chuanhui , Fang Wenqiang , Guo Zhanfei , Wang Yong , Huang Jianlin , Li Qin , Zhang Hong , Huang Anbin , Wu Lijun , Wu Zhenbiao , Guo Huifang , Zhang Fengxiao , Lu Jing , Zhang Zhenchun , Yu Zhongming , Da Zhanyun , Luo Li , Wu Bin , Wu Henglian , Zeng Lin , Mu Rong
Published: September 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed enormous morbidity and mortality burdens. Patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection, given their immunocompromised status. Ensuring acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is important and has attracted attention by health professionals. In this study, we designed an online cross-sectional survey that used an online questionnaire from 8 May 2021 to 4 October 2021. Attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccination, personal information, current disease activity status, adverse events (AEs), and knowledge sources of vaccines were collected. Descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the data. A total of 1022 questionnaires were received, among which 70.2% (720/1022) of patients with RDs agreed to vaccination, while only 31.6% of patients were actually vaccinated. Male, employed, high-income patients and those with inactive disease showed a more positive attitude. Concerns of AEs and disease flare were the main factors affecting vaccination willingness. Only 29.6% (304/1022) of patients thought they had received enough information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their doctors. In conclusion, most patients with RDs in China intended to get vaccinated, although the vaccination rate in this particular population was low. Rheumatologists should take more responsibility in COVID-19 vaccination education of patients with RDs.
Therapeutic Role of Neutralizing Antibody for the Treatment against SARS-CoV-2 and Its Emerging Variants: A Clinical and Pre-Clinical Perspective
Authors: Bhattacharya Manojit , Chatterjee Srijan , Mallik Bidyut , Sharma Ashish Ranjan , Chakraborty Chiranjib
Published: September 2022

Since early 2020, the entire world has been facing a disastrous outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with massive reporting of death and infections per day. Medical practitioners adopted certain measures such as convalescent plasma therapy, antibody treatment, and injecting vaccines to eradicate the pandemic. In this review, we have primarily focused on the neutralizing antibodies presently under pre-clinical and clinical trials, focusing on their structures, binding affinity, mechanism of neutralization, and advantages over other therapeutics. We have also enlisted all the nAbs against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants in different phases of clinical trials (phase-1, phase-II, and phase-III). The efficacy of administering antibody cocktails over the normal antibodies and their efficacy for the mutant variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in minimizing viral virulence is discussed. The potent neutralizing antibodies have eliminated many of the common problems posed by several other therapeutics. A common mechanism of the antibodies and their relevant sources have also been listed in this review.
Impact of Anti-TNFα Treatment on the Humoral Response to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients
Authors: Kashiwagi Kosuke , Jimbo Keisuke , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Arai Nobuyasu , Kudo Takahiro , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: September 2022

The efficacy of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, including the third vaccination in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) patients is not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the humoral immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 vaccine and the changes in durability until 20–28 weeks after the initial vaccine series in PIBD patients on immunosuppressive drugs. The safety of the initial vaccine series and the booster effect of the third vaccination were also evaluated. A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted, and 63 participants (anti-TNFα: 11; non-anti-TNFα: 31; 5-ASA: 21), with a mean age of 15.2 (range 9.6–17.9) years, were enrolled. All PIBD patients were seroconverted, with no serious short-term AEs. PIBD patients on anti-TNFα had significantly lower antibody titers than those on other medications at all measurement points. Furthermore, antibody titers waned over time with anti-TNFα and were significantly lower at 20–28 weeks than at 3–9 weeks after a two-vaccine series. In all 10 patients (anti-TNFα: 5; non-anti-TNFα including 5-ASA: 5), the third vaccination led to antibody concentrations significantly higher than those at the same time point after the second vaccination. PIBD patients on anti-TNFα need to remain vigilant about COVID-19 even after two vaccinations, and a third vaccination may be considered.
Vaccine against Streptococcus suis Infection in Pig Based on Alternative Carrier Protein Conjugate
Authors: Kralova Natalie , Stepanova Hana , Gebauer Jan , Norek Adam , Matiaskova Katarina , Zouharova Monika , Nedbalcova Katerina , Babak Vladimir , Jarosova Rea , Makovicky Peter , Kucharovicova Ivana , Simek Bronislav , Plodkova Hana , Pecka Tomas , Matiasovic Jan
Published: September 2022

Streptococcus suis is a serious pathogen in the pig industry with zoonotic potential. With respect to the current effort to reduce antibiotic use in animals, a prophylactic measure is needed to control the disease burden. Unfortunately, immunization against streptococcal pathogens is challenging due to nature of the interaction between the pathogen and the host immune system, but vaccines based on conjugates of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and carrier protein were proved to be efficient. The main obstacle of these vaccines is manufacturing cost, limiting their use in animals. In this work, we tested an experimental vaccine against Streptococcus suis serotype 2 based on capsular polysaccharide conjugated to chicken ovalbumin (OVA) and compared its immunogenicity and protectivity with a vaccine based on CRM197 conjugate. Ovalbumin was selected as a cheap alternative to recombinant carrier proteins widely used in vaccines for human use. We found that the ovalbumin-based experimental vaccine successfully induced immune response in pigs, and the IgG antibody response was even higher than after immunization with capsular polysaccharide-CRM197 conjugate. Protectivity of vaccination against infection was evaluated in the challenge experiment and was found promising for both conjugates.
Development and Qualification of an Antigen Integrity Assay for a Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Transmission Blocking Vaccine Candidate, Pfs230
Authors: Miura Kazutoyo , Pham Thao P. , Lee Shwu-Maan , Plieskatt Jordan , Diouf Ababacar , Sagara Issaka , Coelho Camila H. , Duffy Patrick E. , Wu Yimin , Long Carole A.
Published: September 2022

During development of a subunit vaccine, monitoring integrity of the recombinant protein for process development and quality control is critical. Pfs230 is a leading malaria transmission blocking vaccine candidate and the first to reach a Phase 2 clinical trial. The Pfs230 protein is expressed on the surface of gametes, and plays an important role in male fertility. While the potency of Pfs230 protein can be determined by a standard membrane-feeding assay (SMFA) using antibodies from immunized subjects, the precision of a general in vivo potency study is known to be poor and is also time-consuming. Therefore, using a well-characterized Pfs230 recombinant protein and two human anti-Pfs230 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which have functional activity judged by SMFA, a sandwich ELISA-based in vitro potency assay, called the Antigen Integrity Assay (AIA), was developed. Multiple validation parameters of AIA were evaluated to qualify the assay following International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Q2(R1) guidelines. The AIA is a high throughput assay and demonstrated excellent precision (3.2 and 5.4% coefficients of variance for intra- and inter-assay variability, respectively) and high sensitivity (>12% impurity in a sample can be detected). General methodologies and the approach to assay validation described herein are amenable to any subunit vaccine as long as more than two functional, non-competing mAbs are available. Thus, this study supports future subunit vaccine development.
Effects of Temperature on Growth, Molting, Feed Intake, and Energy Metabolism of Individually Cultured Juvenile Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain in the Recirculating Aquaculture System
Authors: Liu Jiahao , Shi Ce , Ye Yangfang , Ma Zhen , Mu Changkao , Ren Zhiming , Wu Qingyang , Wang Chunlin
Published: September 2022

An eight-week experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of temperature (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on growth performance, feed intake, energy metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and the stress response of juvenile Scylla paramamosain in a recirculating aquaculture system. The results showed that the survival rate of the 35 °C group was 80.36 ± 5.92%, significantly lower than that of the other three groups (100%). The high molt frequency of mud crabs was observed in high-temperature groups, accompanied by a higher ecdysone level and ecdysone receptor gene expression but lower molt inhibitory hormone gene expression. However, the molt increment (73.58 ± 2.18%), food intake, and feed conversion efficiency showed a parabolic trend, with the lowest value found in the 35 °C group. Oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate increased with the increasing temperature, and oxygen-nitrogen ratio, lactic acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, and cortisol peaked at 35 °C. Temperature also significantly affected the antioxidant system of S. paramamosain. Crabs in the 25 °C and 30 °C had a significantly higher total antioxidant capacity and lower malondialdehyde compared with the 35 °C group (p < 0.05). Although the high temperature promoted molting, it decreased the feeding rate and growth performance, leading to oxidative stress and functional hypoxia. The quadratic function model demonstrated the optimum temperature for the specific growth rate of juvenile S. paramamosain was 28.5–29.7 °C.
Differences in Fish Abundance in Rivers under the Influence of Open-Pit Gold Mining in the Santiago-Cayapas Watershed, Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Authors: Rebolledo Monsalve Eduardo , Jiménez Prado Pedro , Molinero Ortiz Jon , Toulkeridis Theofilos
Published: September 2022

Illegal gold mining is on the rise in the tropical Andes. The Santiago-Cayapas watershed is located in the north of the Pacific basin of Ecuador, in the Chocó biogeographical region. It is recognized for its high biodiversity, as 62 fish species have been described in the area, and because it contains two of the largest protected areas in the Pacific coast of Ecuador: the mangroves of the Cayapas and Mataje Rivers and the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Open-pit gold mining has been described in the area since 2006 and most mining fronts operate illegally and lack any environmental control. Heavy-metal concentrations and fish communities were studied in streams that drain active and abandoned mines, in larger rivers located downstream of the mined areas and in control sites without mining activities. Open-pit mining causes a reduction of dissolved oxygen concentrations and an increase of water temperature, turbidity, and concentrations of Al, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and V. Fish abundance decreased in streams that drain active mines, however, metrics of taxonomic diversity remain unchanged among the study sites. The response of fish communities to open-pit gold mining was complex and driven by the pollution tolerance of each species, the presence of specific adaptions to turbid waters, and changes in the fishing pressure as locals avoid fishing activities in mined areas. Finally, streams that drain abandoned mines showed chemical characteristics, metal concentrations, and fish communities that were similar to control sites, but maintained higher water temperatures than control sites.
New Stage–Discharge Relationship for Triangular Broad-Crested Weirs
Authors: Nicosia Alessio , Carollo Francesco Giuseppe , Di Stefano Costanza , Ferro Vito
Published: September 2022

Simple hydraulic structures, such as weirs, allow measuring flow discharge by using the upstream flow depth and a stage–discharge relationship. In this relationship, a discharge coefficient is introduced to correct all the effects neglected in the derivation (viscosity, surface tension, velocity head in the approach channel, flow turbulence, non-uniform velocity profile, and streamline curvature due to weir contraction). In this paper, the dimensional analysis and the incomplete self-similarity theory are used to investigate the outflow process of triangular broad-crested weirs, characterized by different values of the ratio between crest height p and channel width B, and to theoretically deduce a new stage–discharge relationship. A new theoretical stage–discharge relationship is suggested for the free-flow condition, and it is tested using experimental data available in the literature for the hydraulic condition p/B > 0. The obtained stage–discharge equation, characterized by low errors in discharge estimate, is useful for laboratory and field investigations. Finally, specific analysis for the triangular broad-crested weirs with p/B > 0 was developed to modify the stage–discharge relationship obtained for the case p/B = 0. This specific stage–discharge relationship allows to reduce the errors, which are generally less than ±5%, in the estimate of discharge for triangular broad-crested weirs with p/B > 0 and is also applicable for the case p/B = 0.
Prediction of Multi-Scale Meteorological Drought Characteristics over the Yangtze River Basin Based on CMIP6
Authors: Yu Jiaxin , Zhou Han , Huang Jiejun , Yuan Yanbin
Published: September 2022

Drought is a common and greatly influential natural disaster, yet its reliable estimation and prediction remain a challenge. The object of this paper is to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of drought in the Yangtze River basin. The multi-time scale drought characteristics were analyzed based on 19 models and 3 emission scenarios of CMIP6. The results show that the CMIP6 model generally has moisture deviation in the Yangtze River basin, but the accuracy has been improved after correction and ensemble. The drought conditions in the near future (2030–2059) of the Yangtze River basin will be more severe than those in the historical period (1981–2010), with the drought intensity increasing by 7.47%, 18.24%, 18.34%, and 41.48% in the order of 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month scales, but it will be alleviated in the far future (2070–2099) to 5.97%, 11.86%, −4.09%, and −8.97% of the historical period, respectively. The 1-month scale drought events are few, and the spatial heterogeneity is strong under different scenarios; areas of high frequency of the 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month scale drought events shift from the upper and middle reaches, middle and lower reaches in the historical period to the southwestern part of the entire basin in the future, and the harm of drought in these regions is also higher. The Yangtze River basin will get wetter, and the variability will increase in the future. The larger the time scale is, the more intense the change will be, with the 12-month scale varying about three times as much as the 1-month scale.
An Overview of Light-Mediated Impact of Graphene Oxide on Algae: Photo-Transform, Toxicity and Mechanism
Authors: Gao Yang , Chen Li , Cheng Shenghua , Zhu Ling , Liu Lijuan , Wen Peihuan , Zhou Letao , Xue Wenjing , Lu Songhua , Zhang Wei , Zhou Lean , Sun Shiquan
Published: September 2022

Due to the unique chemical and physical properties, graphene-based nanomaterials are increasingly being introduced into various scientific fields. They all play very important roles in different fields and are widely used. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most popular and representative carbon nanomaterials; scientists have great research interest in it. When carbon nanomaterials such as GO are released into the aquatic environment, their physicochemical properties will be influenced by natural light, resulting in the potential change in toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Algae, as a typical aquatic organism, is extensively regarded as a model microorganism to assess the biotoxicity of nanomaterials. In this review, we overview the light-mediated impact of GO on algae. We summarize the photo-transformation of GO under different illumination conditions and the effect of illumination on the physicochemical properties of GO. Then, we combined metabolomics, genotoxicity, and proteomics with standard toxicity assays (cell division, membrane permeability, oxidative stress, photosynthesis, cellular ultrastructure, and so on) to compare native and environmentally transformed GO induction toxicological mechanisms. By correlating lights, physicochemical properties, and biotoxicity, this review is valuable for environmental fate assessments on graphene-based nanoparticles, providing a theoretical basis and support for evaluating the potential ecological health and environmental risks of graphene-based nanoparticles in real natural water environments.
Contrasting Management and Fates of Two Sister Lakes: Great Salt Lake (USA) and Lake Urmia (Iran)
Authors: Wurtsbaugh Wayne A. , Sima Somayeh
Published: September 2022

Many saline lakes throughout the world are shrinking due to overexploitation of water in their drainage basins. Among them are two of the world’s largest saline lakes, the U.S.A.’s Great Salt Lake, and Iran’s Lake Urmia. Here we provide a comparative analysis of the desiccation of these two lakes that provides insights on management decisions that may help save them and that are relevant to saline lake management worldwide. Great Salt Lake and Lake Urmia were once remarkably similar in size, depth, salinity, and geographic setting. High rates of population growth in both basins have fueled a demand for irrigated agriculture and other uses. In the Great Salt Lake basin, this development began in the late 1800’s and is continuing. The lake’s volume has decreased by 67%, with 75% of the loss driven by water development and 25% by a millennial drought which may portend the start of global climate change impacts. This has greatly increased salinities to 180 g·L−1 stressing the invertebrates in the lake on which birds depend. Only 1% of people in the basin are employed in agriculture; thus, reducing the demand for irrigation development. Population densities in the Urmia basin are double those of the Great Salt Lake basin, and 28% of people are employed in agriculture. These demographics have led to a rapid increase in reservoir construction since 2000 and the subsequent loss of 87% of Lake Urmia’s volume. The water development of Lake Urmia was later, but much faster than that of Great Salt Lake, causing Urmia’s salinity to increase from 190 to over 350 g·L−1 in just 20 years, with subsequent severe ecological decline. Dust storms from the exposed lakebeds of both systems threaten the health of the surrounding populations. To save these lakes and others will require: (1) transparent and collaborative involvement with local interest groups; (2) shifts away from an agricultural-based economy to one based on manufacturing and services; (3) consideration of the diverse ecosystem services of the lakes including mineral extraction, recreation, bird habitats in surrounding wetlands, and dust control.
Trend Test for Hydrological and Climatic Time Series Considering the Interaction of Trend and Autocorrelations
Authors: Liu Saiyan , Xie Yangyang , Fang Hongyuan , Du Huihua , Xu Pengcheng
Published: September 2022

The Mann–Kendall (MK) test was widely used to detect significant trends in hydrologic and climate time series (HCTS), but it cannot deal with significant autocorrelations in HCTS. To solve this problem, the modified MK (MMK) test and the over-whitening (OW) operation were successively proposed. However, there are still limitations for these two methods, especially for the OW operation. When an HCTS has unknown interaction scenarios of trends and autocorrelations, it is obviously unclear which of these two methods will perform better in the trend test. Additionally, the trend test is always accompanied by an autocorrelations test. In the dual test, it is also unknown how the significance level affects the accuracy of the trend test. To address these issues, this study first proposes a strategy of adding an outer loop to modify the OW-operation-based trend test. Then, two simulation experiments are designed to evaluate the performances of MMK-test-based and OW-operation-based methods, and the influence of the significance level on the trend test is analyzed. Moreover, six HCTSs in the Huaihe River basin are taken as examples to examine the consistence and difference of trend test results of these two methods. Results show that: (1) previous OW operations still have the risk of misjudging trends in the presence of significant autocorrelations, and the proposed strategy is necessary and effective to modify the OW operation; (2) these two methods are similar in the accuracy of the trend test results, but they may also produce opposite results when determining whether a significant trend is a pseudo trend or not; and (3) at a given significance level α, the accuracy rates of two methods are always less than 1-α, and the accuracy rate of the trend test tends to decrease for short HCTSs and increase for long HCTSs as the significance level decreases. This study would provide a new perspective for the trend test of HCTS based on the MK test.
Influence of Data Length on the Determination of Data Adjustment Parameters in Conceptual Hydrological Modeling: A Case Study Using the Xinanjiang Model
Authors: Zin Thandar Tun , Lu Minjiao
Published: September 2022

Minimum data length is vital to guarantee accuracy in hydrological analysis. In practice, it is sometimes determined by the experiences of hydrologists, leading the selection of the acceptable minimum data length to an arguable issue among hydrologists. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of data length on parameter estimation and hydrological model performance, especially for data-scarce regions. Using four primary datasets from river basins in Japan and USA, subsets were generated from a 28-year dataset and used to estimate data adjustment parameters based on the aridity index approach to improve the parameter estimation. The influence of their length on hydrological analysis is evaluated using the Xinanjiang (XAJ) model; also, the effectiveness of outlier removal on the parameter estimation is checked using regression analysis. Here, we present the estimation of the most acceptable minimum data length in parameter estimation for assessing the XAJ model and the effectiveness of parameter adjustment by removing the outliers in observed datasets. The results show that between 10-year to 13-year datasets are generally sufficient for the robust estimate of the most acceptable minimum data length in the XAJ model. Moreover, removing outliers can improve parameter estimation in all study basins.
The Role of Hydrographic Mapping in the Study of Emerging Aquatic Insects on the Landscape Scale
Authors: Gerber Rémi , Bergerot Benjamin , Georges Romain , Roussel Jean-Marc , Piscart Christophe
Published: September 2022

Emerging aquatic insects constitute one of the main biological flows connecting aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In a landscape, there are many sources of emergence, which vary in space and time. Thus, they must be clearly defined when studying the inland dispersal of aquatic insects. In this study, we defined five types of hydrographic networks (including or not including ponds and ditches) on the basis of cartographic data of varying degrees of detail (from OpenStreetMap to field map) in order to explain the abundance of aquatic insects. We sampled Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Megaloptera (ETPM) with 64 sticky traps homogeneously covering a 75 ha agricultural landscape. The abundance of aquatic insects is logically better explained by the hydrographic networks recorded directly in the field than by the reference network, which is incomplete (OpenStreetMap). The results show that, depending on the sampling period, not all water bodies in the landscape are necessarily sources of emergence. To our knowledge, the issue of defining the sources of emerging aquatic insects has never been raised. Based on a practical example, this short note shows that, by refining the hydrographic network to better match the sources of emergence, the explanatory power of inland aquatic insect abundance can be greatly improved.
A Novel Slug Heat Test Theoretical and Indoor Model Research for Determining Thermal Property Parameters of Aquifers and Rock-Soil Skeletons
Authors: Zhao Yanrong , Wei Yufeng , Rong Rong , Dong Xiaosong , Zhang Zhihao , Huang Yong , Wang Jinguo
Published: September 2022

As important parameters for characterizing heat transfer, thermal property parameters of aquifers and rock-soil skeletons have important research significance in the development and utilization of geothermal resources. The slug heat test is inspired by the slug test, and the heat is instantaneously excited in the test well so as to change the temperature of test section in the test well instantaneously. Based on the thermal radial convection-dispersion theory and the principle of heat conservation, the theoretical model of the slug heat test is established, and the model is solved by Laplace transform and inverse transform to obtain multiple sets of standard curves under different conditions. The slug heat tests were conducted in the indoor model, the slug heat test data under different hydrodynamic conditions were fitted with the standard curves and the thermal property parameters, including effective thermal conductivity, stagnant thermal conductivity, thermal mechanical dispersion coefficient, thermal dispersive degree, thermal diffusivity, heat capacity of aquifer, heat capacity and thermal conductivity of rock-soil skeletons, were accurately obtained. The test results are in good agreement with the empirical values. Meanwhile, the effective thermal conductivity of the aquifer also clearly increases with the increase of flow rate. The excitation temperature difference had little effect on the effective thermal conductivity of the aquifer. At the same time, numerical simulation methods are used to establish a numerical model consistent with the indoor test model, and the numerical model is assigned with the thermal property parameters obtained from the indoor slug heat test, and the measured values of temperature changes in the test well during the slug heat test under different hydrodynamic and excitation strength conditions are compared with the simulated values for verification. The research results show that the slug heat test has the characteristics of high applicability, simple operation and rapid testing, and can effectively determine the thermal properties parameters of aquifers and rock-soil skeletons.
Investigation on the Impact of Different Absorber Materials in Solar Still Using CFD Simulation—Economic and Environmental Analysis
Authors: Sonawane Chandrakant , Alrubaie Ali Jawad , Panchal Hitesh , Chamkha Ali J. , Jaber Mustafa Musa , Oza Ankit D. , Zahmatkesh Sasan , Burduhos-Nergis Dumitru Doru , Burduhos-Nergis Diana Petronela
Published: September 2022

Solar stills are one of the low water production desalination systems, but its low yield makes it necessary to investigate different design and performance parameters to improve its productivity. This paper aims to perform a parametric analysis of a solar still desalination system and study the effect of different absorber materials on the performance of a single-slope solar desalination unit employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation via COMSOL® Multiphysics software. To consider the absorptivity of water with different absorbing materials, simulation was conducted with the application of effective emissivity for the solar still walls. In addition, the economic, exergoeconomic, and CO2 mitigation of solar stills were studied. The results revealed that the hourly water output of the solar desalination unit, with different absorbing materials (black ink, black dye, and black toner), reached the maximum values at 1:00 PM. On comparing the simulation results of solar stills with and without absorbing materials, it has been observed that the solar still painted with black toner shows the highest improvement in hourly productivity, the exergy of evaporation, and evaporative heat transfer coefficient with a maximum increase in respective values by 10.52%, 13.68% and 5.37%. The CO2 mitigation and enviroeconomic parameter of the solar still using black toner were equal to 31.4 tons and 455.3 USD, respectively. Moreover, the lowest cost per liter (CPL) of the solar still was obtained using black toner, which was about 0.0066 USD/L.