Novel reassortants of H7N9, H10N8, and H5N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are currently circulating in China's poultry flocks, occasionally infecting humans and other mammals. Combined with the sometimes enzootic H5N1 and H9N2 strains, this cauldron of genetically diverse AIVs pose significant risks to public health. Here, we review the epidemiology, evolution, and recent outbreaks of AIVs in China, discuss reasons behind the recent increase in the emergence of novel AIVs, and identify warning signs which may point to the emergence of a potentially virulent and highly transmissible AIV to humans. This review will be useful to authorities who consider options for the detection and control of AIV transmission in animals and humans, with the goal of preventing future epidemics and pandemics.
29 October 2020 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
To trace the evolution process of CPV-2, all of the VP2 gene sequences of CPV-2 and FPV (from 1978 to 2015) from GenBank were analyzed in this study. Then, several new ideas regarding CPV-2 evolution were presented. First, the VP2 amino acid 555 and 375 positions of CPV-2 were first ruled out as a universal mutation site in CPV-2a and amino acid 101 position of FPV feature I or T instead of only I in existing rule. Second, the recently confusing nomenclature of CPV-2 variants was substituted with a optional nomenclature that would serve future CPV-2 research. Third, After check the global distribution of variants, CPV-2a is the predominant variant in Asia and CPV-2c is the predominant variant in Europe and Latin America. Fourth, a series of CPV-2-like strains were identified and deduced to evolve from modified live vaccine strains. Finally, three single VP2 mutation (F267Y, Y324I, and T440A) strains were caught concern. Furthermore, these three new VP2 mutation strains may be responsible for vaccine failure, and the strains with VP2 440A may become the novel CPV sub-variant. In conclusion, a summary of all VP2 sequences provides a new perspective regarding CPV-2 evolution and the correlative biological studies needs to be further performed.
1 July 2018 in International Journal of Nanomedicine
Background: Resveratrol (RES) is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound with poor water solubility and oral bioavailability. The present study takes the advantages of nanocarriers combined with a ligand (galactose) anchoring to orally deliver RES in an attempt to improve its bioavailability and pharmacological activity. Methods: RES-loaded galactosylated nanoparticles (RES-GNPs) were prepared by solvent diffusion technique using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), synthesized N-oleoyl-d-galactosamine and Tween 80. RES-GNPs were characterized by particle size, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE) and in vitro release. Oral bioavailability and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity were investigated in rats and lipopolysaccharides-induced RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. Results: The resulting RES-GNPs were 108.4 nm around in particle size with a polydispersity index of 0.217. Furthermore, RES-GNPs possessed a high EE and a slow drug release in water. After oral administration, RES-GNPs significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of RES, up to 335.7% relative to RES suspensions. In situ single-pass intestinal perfusion and cellular uptake experiments showed that GNPs could improve the intestinal permeability and transcellular transport of RES. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of RES-GNPs in RAW 264.7 cells model was superior to free RES and RES-GNPs. Conclusion: The results indicate that RES-GNPs can effectively promote the intestinal absorption of RES and strengthen its bioactivity, which may be a promising system for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.