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Three hyperimmune dogs were injected intramuscularly with canine wild rabies virus. The dogs showed no clinical evidence of rabies. Intramuscular injection of the wild rabies virus in susceptible puppies induced fulminating disease and mortality in 14 to 16 days. Investigation of the serum proteins of the hyperimmune dogs by a paper electrophoresis technique revealed conspicuous changes in the beta and gamma protein bands.

Background: The accelerating pace of biomedical publication has made it impractical to manually, systematically identify papers containing specific information and extract this information. This is especially challenging when the information itself resides beyond titles or abstracts. For emerging science, with a limited set of known papers of interest and an incomplete information model, this is of pressing concern. A timely example in retrospect is the identification of immune signatures (coherent sets of biomarkers) driving differential SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes. Implementation: We built a classifier to identify papers containing domain-specific information from the document embeddings of the title and abstract. To train this classifier with limited data, we developed an iterative process leveraging pre-trained SPECTER document embeddings, SVM classifiers and web-enabled expert review to iteratively augment the training set. This training set was then used to create a classifier to identify papers containing domain-specific information. Finally, information was extracted from these papers through a semi-automated system that directly solicited the paper authors to respond via a web-based form. Results: We demonstrate a classifier that retrieves papers with human COVID-19 immune signatures with a positive predictive value of 86%. The type of immune signature (e.g., gene expression vs. other types of profiling) was also identified with a positive predictive value of 74%. Semi-automated queries to the corresponding authors of these publications requesting signature information achieved a 31% response rate. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the efficacy of using a SVM classifier with document embeddings of the title and abstract, to retrieve papers with domain-specific information, even when that information is rarely present in the abstract. Targeted author engagement based on classifier predictions offers a promising pathway to build a semi-structured representation of such information. Through this approach, partially automated literature mining can help rapidly create semi-structured knowledge repositories for automatic analysis of emerging health threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospective authors are requested to submit new, unpublished manuscripts for inclusion in the upcoming event described in this call for papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few reports suggest that molecular mimicry can have a role in determining the more severe and deadly forms of COVID-19, inducing endothelial damage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan failure. Heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones can be involved in these molecular mimicry phenomena. However, tumor cells can display on their surface heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones that are mimicked by SARS-CoV-2 molecules (including the Spike protein), similarly to what happens in other bacterial or viral infections. Since molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and tumoral proteins can elicit an immune reaction in which antibodies or cytotoxic cells produced against the virus cross-react with the tumor cells, we want to prompt clinical studies to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on prognosis and follow up of various forms of tumors. These topics, including a brief historical overview, are discussed in this paper., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Prospective authors are requested to submit new, unpublished manuscripts for inclusion in the upcoming event described in this call for papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of beneficial mutations is fundamentally important in understanding the processes by which natural selection works. Using phage-resistant mutants in Escherichia coli as their model for identifying the origin of beneficial mutations, Luria and Delbrück distinguished between two different hypotheses. Under the first hypothesis, which they termed "acquired immunity," the phages induced bacteria to mutate to immunity; this predicts that none of the resistant mutants were present before infection by the phages. Under the second hypothesis, termed "mutation to immunity," resistant bacteria arose from random mutations independent of the presence of the phages; this predicts that resistant bacteria were present in the population before infection by the phages. These two hypotheses could be distinguished by calculating the frequencies at which resistant mutants arose in separate cultures infected at the same time and comparing these frequencies to the theoretical results under each model. The data clearly show that mutations arise at a frequency that is independent of the presence of the phages. By inference, natural selection reveals the genetic variation that is present in a population rather than inducing or causing this variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospective authors are requested to submit new, unpublished manuscripts for inclusion in the upcoming event described in this call for papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aim. Sleep is a complex physiological process important for body homeostasis. Sleep and sleep deprivation have been shown to have a significant impact on mental health and psychoneuroimmunology. Sleep deprivation also can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections and other illnesses. Moreover, sleep is crucial for the maintenance of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functions. Material and methods. A systematic search of the literature (clinical trials and reviews) published in the last five years was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase. Survey research (n= 555: 404 women and 151 men in the age range 15-30, 23 questions in total) was also conducted by the authors of this study. Analysis of literature. Literature data indicate a decline in immune function caused by sleep deprivation. In addition, a number of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety were caused by sleep disorders. What's more, there is a strong link between the glymphatic system and brain detoxification during sleep. As many as 47% of our respondents noticed a decrease in immunity during periods of sleep deprivation. Immunity is one of the 4 most frequently mentioned factors by respondents that can be affected by lack of sleep. Conclusion. Sleep and sleep deprivation affect mental health and immune responses. Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health, and addressing sleep problems may help prevent or manage mental health disorders and immune- related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis, a disease caused by severe infection, has a high mortality rate. At present, there is a lack of reliable algorithmic models for biomarker mining and diagnostic model construction for sepsis. Programmed cell death (PCD) has been shown to play a vital role in disease occurrence and progression, and different PCD-related genes have the potential to be targeted for the treatment of sepsis. In this paper, we analyzed PCD-related genes in sepsis. Implicated PCD processes include apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, netotic cell death, entotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, parthanatos, autophagy-dependent cell death, oxeiptosis, and alkaliptosis. We screened for diagnostic-related genes and constructed models for diagnosing sepsis using multiple machine-learning models. In addition, the immune landscape of sepsis was analyzed based on the diagnosis-related genes that were obtained. In this paper, 10 diagnosis-related genes were screened for using machine learning algorithms, and diagnostic models were constructed. The diagnostic model was validated in the internal and external test sets, and the Area Under Curve (AUC) reached 0.7951 in the internal test set and 0.9627 in the external test set. Furthermore, we verified the diagnostic gene via a qPCR experiment. The diagnostic-related genes and diagnostic genes obtained in this paper can be utilized as a reference for clinical sepsis diagnosis. The results of this study can act as a reference for the clinical diagnosis of sepsis and for target discovery for potential therapeutic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies continuing optimal lockdowns (can also be interpreted as quarantines or self-isolation) in the long run if a disease (Covid-19) is endemic and immunity can fail, that is, the disease has SIRS dynamics. We model how disease related mortality affects the optimal choices in a dynamic general equilibrium neoclassical growth framework. An extended welfare function that incorporates loss from mortality is used. In a disease endemic steady state, without this welfare loss even if there is continuing mortality, it is not optimal to impose even a partial lockdown. We characterize how the optimal restriction and equilibrium outcomes vary with the effectiveness of the lockdown, the productivity of working from home, the rate of mortality from the disease, and failure of immunity. We provide the sufficiency conditions for economic models with SIRS dynamics with disease related mortality–a class of models which are non-convex and have endogenous discounting so that no existing results are applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Over recent decades, the rapid growth in the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry worldwide has increased awareness of their adverse effects, which pose high risks to public health. The fungus Poria cocos is commonly used as both a traditional Chinese medicine and has a broad range of effects, e.g., strengthening body resistance. Polysaccharides are the main bioactive components of Poria cocos. In this paper, we assessed the potential of Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) as a feed additive for animal production and found that PCP treatment positively influenced the growth performance, immunity, and cecal microbiota composition in weaned piglets. This paper aims to identify Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) as a potential feed additive used for swine production; thus, we explored the effects of different dietary inclusion levels of PCP on growth performance, immunity, and cecal microflora composition in weaned piglets. For this, a total of 120 28-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets (8.51 ± 0.19 kg; 28 ± 1 days of age) were randomly allocated to five groups that were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% PCP, respectively, for 42 days. The results indicated that the average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio were higher in the PCP treatment groups than in the control group, with a linear effect. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IL-2, IFN-γ, the number of CD4+ T cells, and the CD4+-to-CD8+ T-cell ratio (CD4+/CD8+) were increased, while the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased in the PCP supplementation groups compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the cytokine mRNA expression levels exhibited a similar trend in the spleen. PCP supplementation also reduced the abundance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella and enhanced that of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecum. In summary, dietary PCP inclusion exerted positive effects on the growth performance, immunity, and cecal microbiota of piglets and showed potential for use as a feed additive for improving the health of weaned piglets, with 0.1% being the optimal dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal Frontiers in Immunology that focuses on the contributions of women in the field of cytokines and soluble factors in immunity. It features over 60 research papers written by female scientists from around the world, covering a range of topics including invertebrate and mammalian immunity, the role of cytokines in diseases, and the use of soluble factors as diagnostic and prognostic markers. The editorial emphasizes the dedication and collaboration of female scientists in scientific research. It also highlights successful women in the field, such as economist Claudia Goldin and biochemist Katalin Karicó, and discusses the challenges faced by women in science. The document underscores the importance of promoting women's participation in science and addressing gender disparities. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment that uses photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS) to damage target cells. The unique mechanism of action of PDT involves the systemic or local administration of a photosensitizing compound (photosensitizer), which is then activated by light of a specific energy. PDT induces a very strong local inflammatory response. A number of adaptive mechanisms are induced within the tumor, related to increased amino acid metabolism and damage to lymphatic vessels. In this review, we are describing the adaptive immune response induced by ROS and generated by PDT. Cancer is one of the most significant causes of death worldwide. Despite the rapid development of modern forms of therapy, results are still unsatisfactory. The prognosis is further worsened by the ability of cancer cells to metastasize. Thus, more effective forms of therapy, such as photodynamic therapy, are constantly being developed. The photodynamic therapeutic regimen involves administering a photosensitizer that selectively accumulates in tumor cells or is present in tumor vasculature prior to irradiation with light at a wavelength corresponding to the photosensitizer absorbance, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are responsible for the direct and indirect destruction of cancer cells. Photodynamically induced local inflammation has been shown to have the ability to activate an adaptive immune system response resulting in the destruction of tumor lesions and the creation of an immune memory. This paper focuses on presenting the latest scientific reports on the specific immune response activated by photodynamic therapy. We present newly discovered mechanisms for the induction of the adaptive response by analyzing its various stages, and the possible difficulties in generating it. We also present the results of research over the past 10 years that have focused on improving the immunological efficacy of photodynamic therapy for improved cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]