Xiaolin Jiang

Introduction: Despite the introduction of mumps-containing vaccines into the routine immunization program in 2008, mumps incidence in Shandong Province, China, declined but remained substantially higher than that of measles and rubella, and above WHO elimination thresholds, raising the possibility of whether genetic evolution of circulating strains has contributed to this phenomenon. To address, we compared mumps viruses isolated pre-vaccine (2006–2007) and a decade after rollout (2018). Methods: We analyzed mumps case data reported in Shandong from 2005 to 2024. We also performed whole-genome sequencing on 16 mumps virus strains isolated during the same period. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to characterize viral genetic features and identify mutations. Results: From 2005 to 2024, 167,590 mumps cases were reported, peaking in 2012 (25.33 per 100,000 population). SH-gene typing consistently identified all 16 strains as genotype F, a result corroborated by whole-genome phylogeny; however, the SH gene alone proved insufficient for phylogenetic resolution among closely related strains, consistent with the value of whole-genome sequencing for epidemiological surveillance. The 16 full-length genomes shared 98.34–100% nucleotide identity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed intermingling of 2006–2007 and 2018 isolates rather than time-specific clustering, with low inter-group p-distances. Importantly, between the two temporal groups, no significant differences were detected in their respective identities to the vaccine strain S79 at the whole-genome level (nucleotide or amino acid). Two positively selected sites were identified across the seven structural proteins (posterior probability > 0.95). Eight mutations in HN and F that alter hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, or charge were found, but structural modeling predicted no appreciable conformational changes. Conclusion: We provides a whole-genome-based, two-time point comparison of genotype F mumps viruses in Shandong across a ~ 12-year interval spanning vaccine introduction (2006–2007 vs. 2018). Overall, the Shandong 2018 isolates remained as similar to the 2006–2007 isolates as F strains are nationwide, and both groups were comparably close to vaccine strain S79, indicating no detectable genetic divergence or drift over the ~12-year period. As the SH gene alone lacked sufficient diversity to resolve closely related isolates, whole-genome sequencing provided more accurate genetic characterization in this study.

Introduction: The high percentage of Omicron breakthrough infection in vaccinees is an emerging problem, of which we have a limited understanding of the phenomenon.Methods: We performed single-cell transcriptome coupled with T-cell/B-cell receptor (TCR/BCR) sequencing in 15 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from Omicron infection and naïve with booster vaccination.Results: We found that after breakthrough infection, multiple cell clusters showed activation of the type I IFN pathway and widespread expression of Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs); T and B lymphocytes exhibited antiviral and proinflammatory-related differentiation features with pseudo-time trajectories; and large TCR clonal expansions were concentrated in effector CD8 T cells, and clonal expansions of BCRs showed a preference for IGHV3. In addition, myeloid cells in the BA.5.2 breakthrough infection with the fourth dose of aerosolized Ad5-nCoV were characterized by enhanced proliferation, chemotactic migration, and antigen presentation.Discussion: Collectively, our study informs the comprehensive understandings of immune characterization for Omicron breakthrough infection, revealing the positive antiviral potential induced by booster doses of vaccine and the possible "trained immunity" phenomenon in the fourth dose of aerosolized Ad5-nCoV, providing a basis for the selection of vaccination strategies.

Introduction: Astragali Radix is the dried root of Astragalus mongoliae or Astragalus membranaceus, a leguminous plant. Since ancient times, Astragali Radix has been widely used in Chinese traditional Chinese medicine. As people become more health-conscious, the market demand for Astragali Radix grows and its popularity is increasing in the international market. As an important medicinal plant, the growth of Astragali Radix is strongly influenced by environmental conditions. In order to meet the market demand for high quality Astragali Radix herbs, it is necessary to search and find areas suitable for the growth of Astragali Radix.Methods: In this study, we assessed the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of the Chinese medicinal plant Astragali Radix using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model in combination with a geographic information system(GIS). Distribution data and environmental variables were analyzed to predict suitable areas for Astragali Radix under the SSP126, SSP245 and SSP585 scenario for current and future (2041-2060, 2061-2080, 2081-2100). Jackknife is used to assess the importance of environmental variables, and environmental variables with a model contribution greater than 5% were considered to be the main drivers.Results: The results showed that the current area of suitable area for Astragali Radix is 188.41 km², and the three climate scenarios show an increasing trend in the future, with a maximum of 212.70 km². North China has always been the main suitable area, while the area of suitable area in Southwest China is decreasing, and Xinjiang will be developed as a new suitable area in the future. Annual precipitation (41.6%), elevation (15.9%), topsoil calcium carbonate (14.8%), annual mean temperature (8.3%), precipitation seasonality (8%) and topsoil pH (6%) contributed more to the model and were the main environmental influences on the distribution of Astragali Radix. In addition, the centroids of the suitable areas shifted northward under all three climate scenarios, indicating a migratory response to global warming.Discussion: Our study found that suitable area of Astragali Radix has been expanding for most of the time in each period of the three climate scenarios compared with the current situation. In the future, humans can focus on enhancing the cultivation techniques of Astragali Radix in these suitable areas. This study provide a scientific basis for the development of planting strategies and spatial distribution management of Astragali Radix. It helps to optimize the selection of planting areas and resource conservation of Chinese herbs.

Purpose: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute viral infection disease with a high mortality, but there are no specific effective drugs or vaccines available for use. To develop effective treatment methods, more basic researches are urgently needed to elucidate the response mechanisms of patients. Patients and Methods: Here, we conducted the transcriptomic analysis of peripheral immunity in 14 SFTS patients, ranging from moderate infection to severe and fatal disease. Results: The results showed orderly cytokine signaling pathway modulation in moderate patients, cellular immunosuppression in severe patients, and significant dysregulation of the inflammatory response and coagulation dysfunction characteristic of deceased patients. In addition, WGCNA further showed a significant positive correlation between fatal outcomes and B cell and immunoglobulin mediated immune function modules, as well as a significant negative correlation with coagulation function modules. Conclusion: Overall, our research findings systematically observed potential immune mechanisms underlying clinical symptom heterogeneity and noteworthily revealed multiple signaling pathways leading to coagulation dysfunction in fatal outcomes, not just related to decreased platelet count, which can further elucidate the interaction between viruses and hosts and contribute to clinical treatment.

Background: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and extensive vaccination, it is important to explore the immune response of elderly adults to homologous and heterologous booster vaccines of COVID-19. At this point, we detected serum IgG antibodies and PBMC sample transcriptome profiles in 46 participants under 70 years old and 25 participants over 70 years old who received the third dose of the BBIBP-CorV and ZF2001 vaccines. Results: On day 7, the antibody levels of people over 70 years old after the third dose of booster vaccine were lower than those of young people, and the transcriptional responses of innate and adaptive immunity were also weak. The age of the participants showed a significant negative correlation with functions related to T-cell differentiation and costimulation. Nevertheless, 28 days after the third dose, the IgG antibodies of elderly adults reached equivalence to those of younger adults, and immune-related transcriptional regulation was significantly improved. The age showed a significant positive correlation with functions related to "chemokine receptor binding", "chemokine activity", and "chemokine-mediated signaling pathway". Conclusions: Our results document that the response of elderly adults to the third dose of the vaccine was delayed, but still able to achieve comparable immune effects compared to younger adults, in regard to antibody responses as well as at the transcript level.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease discovered in China in 2009. The purpose of this study was to describe the spatiotemporal distribution of SFTS and to identify its environmental influencing factors and potential high-risk areas in Shandong Province, China. Methods: Data on the SFTS incidence from 2010 to 2021 were collected. Spatiotemporal scan statistics were used to identify the time and area of SFTS clustering. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used to analyse environmental influences and predict high-risk areas. Results: From 2010 to 2021, a total of 5705 cases of SFTS were reported in Shandong. The number of SFTS cases increased yearly, with a peak incidence from April to October each year. Spatiotemporal scan statistics showed the existence of one most likely cluster and two secondary likely clusters in Shandong. The most likely cluster was in the eastern region, from May to October 2021. The first secondary cluster was in the central region, from May to October 2021. The second secondary cluster was in the southeastern region, from May to September 2020. The MaxEnt model showed that the mean annual wind speed, NDVI, cattle density and annual cumulative precipitation were the key factors influencing the occurrence of SFTS. The predicted risk map showed that the area of high prevalence was 28,120 km², accounting for 18.05% of the total area of the province. Conclusions: The spatiotemporal distribution of SFTS was heterogeneous and influenced by multidimensional environmental factors. This should be considered as a basis for delineating SFTS risk areas and developing SFTS prevention and control measures.

Under the background of the severe human health and world economic burden caused by COVID-19, the attenuation of vaccine protection efficacy, and the prevalence and immune escape of emerging variants of concern (VOCs), the third dose of booster immunization has been put on the agenda. Systems biology approaches can help us gain new perspectives on the characterization of immune responses and the identification of factors underlying vaccine-induced immune efficacy. We analyzed the antibody signature and transcriptional responses of participants vaccinated with COVID-19 inactivated vaccine and protein subunit vaccine as a third booster dose. The results from the antibody indicated that the third booster dose was effective, and that heterologous vaccination with the protein subunit vaccine as a booster dose induced stronger humoral immune responses than the homologous vaccination with inactivated vaccine, and might be more effective against VOCs. In transcriptomic analysis, protein subunit vaccine induced more differentially expressed genes that were significantly associated with many important innate immune pathways. Both the homologous and heterologous boosters could increase the effectiveness against COVID-19, and compared with the inactivated vaccine, the protein subunit vaccine, mediated a stronger humoral immune response and had a more significant correlation with the innate immune function module, which provided certain data support for the third booster immunization strategy.