Effects of vaccines on clinical characteristics of convalescent adult patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: A retrospective study

IntroductionThe protective effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has become a global focus due to Omicron variant pandemic. The effects of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are diverse. However, studies on the effect of domestic vaccines on clinical characteristics in convalescent adult patients infected with the Omicron variant are lacking.MethodsIn this retrospective, single-center cohort study, the effect of three domestic vaccines on clinical characteristics of convalescent adult patients infected with the Omicron variant was investigated in the initial largest outbreak of the Omicron variant infection between January and February 2022 in Tianjin, China. The primary endpoint was COVID-19 severity and the secondary endpoints were re-positive results on nucleic acid tests, liver and kidney function, and inflammation levels during recovery.ResultsA total of 320 adult patients infected with the Omicron variant were enrolled, including 296 post-vaccination and 24 unvaccinated patients. The median age of the unvaccinated patients was higher than that of vaccinated patients, but no significant difference was detected in the sex composition ratio between the different groups. Binary logistic regression results suggested that Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccine was an independent protective factor for relieving the severity of the Omicron variant infection. Regrettably, the vaccines did not showed any protective effect on the liver and kidney function of convalescent adult patients. Three domestic vaccines significantly relieved inflammation and increased the SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels. Furthermore, Sinovac and CanSino vaccines had a better immune stimulation effect on increasing T lymphocytes levels in convalescent adult patients. In addition, three domestic vaccines have protective effects on preventing re-detectable positive (RP) result in convalescent adult patients.ConclusionAlthough the three domestic vaccines cannot prevent the infection of the Omicron variant, it has a significant protective effect in adult patients. This study supports the policy of accelerating to vaccination worldwide combat the evolving and mutating SARS-CoV-2.DiscussionOmicron spreads faster and might escape antibodies more readily than previous variants, increasing the cases of reinfection and breakthrough infections in vaccinated people. Although vaccinated people are likely to have a much lower risk of severe disease from Omicron infection, many issues still need to be considered. Concerns about lower vaccine efficacy because of new variants might have changed our understanding of the COVID-19 endgame, disabusing the world of the notion that global vaccination is by itself adequate for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current data showed that vaccination with three domestic SARS-CoV-2 vaccines alleviates the disease severity of adult patients with COVID-19, reduces the inflammation level and the RP rate of convalescent adult patients, and enhances body’s defense against the virus in convalescent adult patients. Moreover, our study has highlighted that a combination prevention approach of vaccination and public health measures would be an effective strategy

Establishment of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Method for Detection of Four Plant-Derived Components and Its Application to Edible Starches

A multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for simultaneous and rapid detection of components derived from sweet potato, cassava, potato, and corn was established. The g3pdhs gene of sweet potato and cassava, the UGPase gene of potato and the zSSIIb gene of corn were used as target genes to design specific primers and TaqMan probe, and the 18S rRNA gene was used as the internal reference gene. Methodological validation was performed, and the proposed method was applied to simulated samples with different mixing ratios and actual starch samples. The results showed that this method was high-throughput, sensitive and specific. No cross-reaction was found with 15 non-target sources. The detection sensitivity for template DNA was 3 × 10-3 ng/μL, and the proposed method had a good linear relationship and high amplification efficiency. The detection limit for edible starch samples was 0.1%. The results of the PCR method for 50 actual samples were consistent with those of the reference method, indicating that this method could be used for the detection of common adulterants in edible starches

MiR-770-5p inhibits cisplatin chemoresistance in human ovarian cancer by targeting ERCC2

In this study, we examined the role of the miRNA miR-770-5p in cisplatin chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer (OVC) patients. miR-770-5p expression was reduced in platinum-resistant patients. Using a 6.128-fold in expression as the cutoff value, miR-770-5p expression served as a prognostic biomarker and predicted the response to cisplatin treatment and survival among OVC patients. Overexpression of miR-770-5p in vitro reduced survival in chemoresistant cell lines after cisplatin treatment. ERCC2, a target gene of miR-770-5p that participates in the NER system, was negatively regulated by miR-770-5p. siRNA-mediated silencing of ERCC2 reversed the inhibition of apoptosis resulting from miR-770-5p downreglation in A2780S cells. A comet assay confirmed that this restoration of cisplatin chemosensitivity was due to the inhibition of DNA repair. These findings suggest that endogenous miR-770-5p may function as an anti-oncogene and promote chemosensitivity in OVC, at least in part by downregulating ERCC2. miR-770-5p may therefore be a useful biomarker for predicting chemosensitivity to cisplatin in OVC patients and improve the selection of effective, more personalized, treatment strategies

Characterization of manufacturing-induced surface scratches and their effect on laser damage resistance performance of diamond fly-cut KDP crystal

Manufacturing-induced defects have drawn more and more attentions to improve the laser damage resistance performance of KDP crystal applied in high-power laser systems. Here, the morphology of surface scratches on diamond fly-cut KDP crystal is characterized and their effect on the laser damage resistance is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The results indicate that surface scratches could lower laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) by modulating incident lasers and producing resultant local light intensifications. The induced maximum light intensity enhancement factors (LIEFs) are dependent on scratch shapes and dimensions. The diffraction effects originating from scratch edges are responsible for the strongest light intensification. Even for ultra-precision finished KDP surface with scratches that well satisfy the currently applied scratch/dig specification, the induced LIEFs are quite high, indicating that the actual defect dimension allowance should be amended and specified according to the defect-induced LIEFs. The effect of scratches on laser damage resistance is experimentally verified by the tested LIDT, which is approximately consistent with the simulation one. The morphologies of laser damage sites further confirm the role of scratches in lowering LIDT. This work could offer new perspective and guidance for fully evaluating the performance of ultra-precision manufactured optical materials applied in high-power laser facilities

Crystal structure of 2-(2-naphthyl)-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine, C(16)H(14)N(2)

C(16)H(14)N(2), monoclinic, P12(1)/c1 (no. 14), a = 8.387(1) angstrom, b = 17.453(3) angstrom, c = 8.694(1) angstrom, beta = 93.092(2)degrees, V = 1270.8 angstrom(3), Z = 4, R(gt)(F) = 0.046, wR(ref)(F(2)) = 0.129, T = 294 K.program for innovation of science and technology talents of Henan Province[104200510022]; program for science and technology leaders of Zhengzhou City[10LJRC174]; Doctor Foundation[D09004]; program for innovative research team of Henan Institute of Engineering[2009IRTHNIE05