To better understand the spectrums of pathogens causing herpangina and circulation of Coxsackievirus A4 in Yancheng, China. Stool samples from herpangina and HFMD cases were collected. Real Time PCR Kits was used to identify Enterovirus 71, CV-A16 and CV-A6, and nested reverse transcription PCR (nRT-PCR) to detect the other enterovirus types. Complete VP1 and genome sequence of CV-A4 were amplified by using nRT-PCR. Genetic, phylogenetic and recombination analysis were performed. Co-circulation of three recombinant CV-A4 groups, including one novel (C2 lineage), was identified in Yancheng, China, 2016 and 2018. One was the major causative agent of herpangina, and another two were responsible for HFMD. Phylogenetic and recombination analysis indicated that the non-structural region of their genome originated from the same ancestry and subsequently adaptation. C2 lineage of CV-A4 group may be introduced from countries outside China and its genome occurred recombination in China. Novel recombinant CV-A4 was mainly associated with herpanginain in Yancheng, 2018, China. C2 lineage of CV-A4 group with recombinant non-structural region was also identified in HFMD patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify genes and transcription factors underlying functional differences in neonatal versus adult peripheral blood monocytes, elucidating mechanisms of severe Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in neonates.Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in neonatal and adult peripheral blood monocytes were detected via RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), followed by assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC‐seq) to characterize differentially accessible region (DAR)–associated genes. Integrated analyses of RNA‐seq and ATAC‐seq pinpointed candidate genes and transcription factors. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) validated the mRNA expression of common genes and transcription factors.Results: RNA‐seq profiling of neonatal and adult peripheral monocytes identified 669 overexpressed and 440 underexpressed genes in neonates, with overexpressed genes enriched in bacterial response pathways and underexpressed genes in cytokine production and cell killing pathways. Chromatin accessibility analysis revealed 36,782 differential peaks (21,192 gained, 15,590 lost) in neonatal peripheral monocytes. Integrated RNA‐seq and ATAC‐seq analysis pinpointed 30 overlapping genes among DEGs, DAR‐associated genes, and immunologically relevant genes (IRGs). qRT‐PCR validated higher expression of CEBPB, JUN, BATF, PTK2B, and ITGAV and lower ADA2 and RORA expression in neonatal peripheral monocytes compared to that in adults.Conclusions: The study revealed distinct differences in the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility between neonatal and adult peripheral monocytes, identifying potential genes linked to GBS infection vulnerability of neonates. These findings advance our understanding of neonatal immune dysfunction in severe GBS disease, informing future therapeutic targets.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can lead to a range of adverse outcomes. The majority of cCMV neonates with clinical symptoms are infected postnatally; however, established cases of intrauterine infection are uncommon, resulting in a paucity of reports on clinical findings and lymphocytes expression in CMV-infected neonates. We followed a neonate with cCMV infection from the onset of hospitalization to several months of follow-up. This infant was intrauterine CMV-positive in the amniotic fluid of the mother at 21 weeks’ gestation and received intravenous ganciclovir infusion and sequential oral valganciclovir after birth. The typical clinical signs manifested in the nervous system, liver, and peripheral blood and were documented during the hospitalizaion period and up to the follow-up visit. Flow cytometry was employed to examine the expression of T cells, their subsets, and the associated cytokines in peripheral blood samples at various time points. The flow data for the cCMV neonate were compared with those of the controls at each time point. Following treatment, clinical symptoms improved and the infant became CMV negative. However, developmental delays occurred later in life. The proportion of CD8+CD28− Tregs in the peripheral blood of the neonate with congenital CMV infection was higher than that in the controls at the three time points. The expression levels of perforin and granzyme B secreted by γδ T cells (Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells), increased during the course of hospitalization until follow-up and were higher than those in the controls at the three time points. Despite the alleviation of clinical symptoms, developmental delay in later life remains inevitable in this intrauterine cCMV neonate. CD8+CD28− Tregs and Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells secreting perforin and granzyme B may be involved in congenital CMV infection, although this hypothesis requires validation in a larger study. This report may contribute to our understanding of the effect of current treatment and the immune status of intrauterine cCMV-infected neonates.

Oncolytic virotherapy represents an innovative therapeutic modality in oncology, exploiting the selective tropism of viruses to target and eradicate malignant cells. Unlike conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, oncolytic viruses (OVs) exhibit a dual mechanism of action: direct tumor cell lysis and potent immune activation. This approach transforms tumors into in situ vaccines, generating durable anti-tumor immune memory. The field has garnered substantial attention following the regulatory approval of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a genetically engineered herpes simplex virus, for metastatic melanoma treatment—a watershed moment in oncolytic virotherapy. Recent advances in genetic engineering have significantly enhanced OV specificity and efficacy, addressing critical challenges including tumor-selective targeting and immune evasion. This review comprehensively examines the complex mechanisms underlying OV therapeutic action, clinical applications, and recent developments that position oncolytic virotherapy as a transformative strategy in contemporary cancer treatment.

Objective: This study was aimed at clarifying the unique metabolic alterations in preterm neonates, distinct from full‐term neonates, between the first 24 and 48 h postnatally. Methods: A cohort of 60 preterm and 60 full‐term neonates was analyzed. The metabolomic profiles of plasma samples were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐QTOF‐MS). Multivariate statistical analyses were employed to discern metabolic differences. Multiple machine learning models were constructed to further select key metabolites. Spearman′s correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between neonatal immune cell subsets and key metabolites. Results: The study revealed 70 specific metabolic alterations in preterm neonates during the early postnatal period. Then, 32 of these metabolites were jointly selected by the Top 5 machine learning models, which exhibited high predictive performance with an AUC > 0.9. Subsequent analyses including multivariable linear regression and ROC curve revealed 12 key metabolites significantly associated with gestational age. Correlation analyses exposed significant associations between immune cells and these metabolites. Integrated pathway analysis identified 10 key metabolic pathways involved in preterm neonates. NMR‐based validation confirmed two of the 12 prioritized metabolites and six additional metabolites from the broader panel, supporting the robustness of our findings. Conclusion: Our findings provide insights into the metabolic and immune adaptation processes in preterm neonates during the early life stage. The correlations between immune cell subsets and the key metabolites highlight a potential effect of metabolism on immune adaptation in preterm neonates. These key metabolites and pathways could serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies to enhance immune function and health outcomes in preterm infants.