The Impact on Infectivity and Neutralization Efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.351 Pseudovirus

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 lineage (first found in South Africa) has been raising global concern due to its harboring of multiple mutations in the spike that potentially increase transmissibility and yield resistance to neutralizing antibodies. We here tested infectivity and neutralization efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudoviruses bearing particular mutations of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) derived either from the Wuhan strains (referred to as D614G or with other sites) or the B.1.351 lineage (referred to as N501Y, K417N, and E484K). The three different pseudoviruses B.1.351 lineage related significantly increased infectivity compared with other mutants that indicated Wuhan strains. Interestingly, K417N and E484K mutations dramatically enhanced cell–cell fusion than N501Y even though their infectivity were similar, suggesting that K417N and E484K mutations harboring SARS-CoV-2 variant might be more transmissible than N501Y mutation containing SARS-CoV-2 variant. We also investigated the efficacy of two different monoclonal antibodies, Casirivimab and Imdevimab that neutralized SARS-CoV-2, against several kinds of pseudoviruses which indicated Wuhan or B.1.351 lineage. Remarkably, Imdevimab effectively neutralized B.1.351 lineage pseudoviruses containing N501Y, K417N, and E484K mutations, while Casirivimab partially affected them. Overall, our results underscore the importance of B.1.351 lineage SARS-CoV-2 in the viral spread and its implication for antibody efficacy

The Effects of an Online Mind-Body Training Program on Stress, Coping Strategies, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience and Psychological State

<div><p>The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of an online mind-body training (MBT) program on participants’ stress, anger, coping strategies, emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive and negative affect. Forty-two healthy women participated in an online MBT program for approximately 8–10 minutes a day for 8 weeks; a control group of 45 healthy women did not participate in the program. Self-report psychological questionnaires were administered before the beginning of the program and at 4 and 8 weeks following its onset. Data from the MBT group and the control group were compared using repeated measures ANOVA and Student’s t-tests. Significant time x group interaction effects were found with respect to stress, coping strategies, anger, emotional intelligence, negative affect and resilience. These results demonstrate beneficial effects of the online MBT program and significant improvements in the psychological capabilities of participants compared with the control group. The effects of online MBT program were similar with those of the previous offline MBT in psychological aspects, suggesting further studies for neuroscientific evidence related stress and emotion of online MBT effects.</p></div

Change in emotional intelligence (A) and resilience (B) scores for the MBT and control groups across the 8 weeks.

<p>(A) Significant changes for 8 weeks in emotional intelligence (total score of 5 factors). (B) Significant changes for 8 weeks in resilience (total score of 5 factors). †: Tests of within-subjects effects (time x group). *: Tests of within-subjects of contrasts (time x group).</p

Proposed model of the effects of MBT on perceived stress, coping strategies, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

<p>Proposed model of the effects of MBT on perceived stress, coping strategies, emotional intelligence, and resilience.</p

Differences in KOSS scale scores for the MBT and control groups at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

<p>Differences in KOSS scale scores for the MBT and control groups at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks.</p

Change in total stress (A) and problem-solving coping (B) scores for the MBT and control groups across the 8 weeks.

<p>(A) Significant changes for 8 weeks in stress (total score of 7 factors). (B) Significant changes for 8 weeks in problem-solving coping. †: Tests of within-subjects effects (time x group). *: Tests of within-subjects of contrasts (time x group).</p

Correlations between emotional intelligence (8-week variations) and perceived stress (8-week variations) in each group.

<p>(A) A correlation between emotional intelligence (8-week variations) and perceived stress (8-week variations) in the MBT group. (B) A correlation between emotional intelligence and perceived stress (8-week variations) in the control group.</p

Correlations between job demand stress and perceived stress (SRI) in each group at baseline and in 8-week variations (scores subtracted baseline scores from 8-week scores).

<p>(A) A correlation between job demand stress and perceived stress (SRI) in the MBT group at baseline. (B) A correlation between job demand stress and perceived stress (SRI) in the control group at baseline. (C) A correlation between job demand stress (8-week variations) and perceived stress (8-week variations) in the MBT group. (D) A correlation between job demand stress (8-week variations) and perceived stress (8-week variations) in the control group.</p

Mosaic RBD nanoparticles induce intergenus cross-reactive antibodies and protect against SARS-CoV-2 challenge

Recurrent spillovers of α- and β-coronaviruses (CoV) such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and possibly human CoV have caused serious morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study, six receptor-binding domains (RBDs) derived from α- and β-CoV that are considered to have originated from animals and cross-infected humans were linked to a heterotrimeric scaffold, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) subunits, PCNA1, PCNA2, and PCNA3. They assemble to create a stable mosaic multivalent nanoparticle, 6RBD-np, displaying a ring-shaped disk with six protruding antigens, like jewels in a crown. Prime-boost immunizations with 6RBD-np in mice induced significantly high Ab titers against RBD antigens derived from α- and β-CoV and increased interferon (IFN-γ) production, with full protection against the SARS-CoV-2 wild type and Delta challenges. The mosaic 6RBD-np has the potential to induce intergenus cross-reactivity and to be developed as a pan-CoV vaccine against future CoV spillovers.</jats:p