Blue LED light promoting the growth, accumulation of high-value isoflavonoids and astragalosides, antioxidant response, and biosynthesis gene expression in Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge hairy root cultures (preprint)

The root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is one of the most frequently used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae for fighting COVID-19 infections, due to the presence of isoflavonoids and astragalosides associated with antiviral and immune-enhancing activities. For the first time, the exposure of A. membranaceus hairy root cultures (AMHRCs) to different colors of LED lights i.e., red, green, blue, red/green/blue (1/1/1, RGB), and white, was conducted to promote the root growth and accumulation of isoflavonoids and astragalosides. LED light treatment regardless of colors was found beneficial for root growth, which might be a result of the formation of more root hairs upon light stimulation. Blue LED light was found most effective for enhancing phytochemical accumulation. Results showed that the productivity of root biomass in blue-light grown AMHRCs with an initial inoculum size of 0.6% for 55 days was 1.40-fold higher than that in dark (control), and yields of high-value isoflavonoids and astragalosides including calycosin, formononetin, astragaloside IV, and astragaloside I increased by 3.17-fold, 2.66-fold, 1.78-fold, and 1.52-fold relative to control, respectively. Moreover, the photooxidative stress together with transcriptional activation of biosynthesis genes might contribute to the enhanced accumulation of isoflavonoids and astragalosides in blue-light grown AMHRCs. Overall, this work offered a feasible approach for obtaining higher yields of root biomass and medicinally important compounds in AMHRCs via the simple supplementation of blue LED light, which made blue-light grown AMHRCs industrially attractive as plant factory in controlled growing systems.

Evolution of Labor Demand during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Jobs of the Future (preprint)

We study the evolution of labor demand during the COVID-19 pandemic using detailed online job posting data. Following the Wuhan lockdown, firms adjusted their hiring practices swiftly. The response exhibits substantial heterogeneity across different industries. We also document that the labor market tightened more for industry-specific positions relative to general-purpose positions that are employed in all industries. Our findings highlight the dimension of job generality in ongoing job evolution.

Study on the mechanism of treating COVID-19 with Shenqi Wan based on network pharmacology.

PURPOSE: Through the method of network pharmacology, the active components and targets of Shenqi Wan (SQW) were excavated, the relationship with novel Coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) was discussed, and the possible mechanism of SQW in the treatment of COVID-19 was revealed from the aspects of multicomponents, multitargets, and multipathways. METHODS: Firstly, the active components of SQW were screened from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform and the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia, and the related targets of the components were obtained. Then the disease targets related to COVID-19 were screened from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Venny was used to map the relationship between component-target and disease-target, and String was used to analyze the interaction of common targets. The network was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape, the function of Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) genes was enriched by Metascape, and the molecular docking was verified by CB-Dock. RESULTS: Finally, 45 active components of SQW were obtained, and 72 potential targets were related to COVID-19, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), interleukin (IL)-6, nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) and, C-reactive protein (CRP),may be the key targets. GO enrichment of 1715 projects, such as lipopolysaccharide stress response, active oxygen metabolism, positive regulation of cell migration, and other GO enrichment. About 136 KEGG pathways, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α signaling pathway were obtained. Molecular docking showed that kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, astragaloside, calyx isoflavone glucoside, matrine, and other COVID-19-related targets such as ACE2, chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) have good binding ability. CONCLUSION: According to the above results, it is suggested that SQW may play a role in the treatment of COVID-19 by directly or indirectly combining kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin with ACE2, 3CLpro, PLpro, and PTGS2 to regulate multiple biological functions and signaling pathways.

Lenders’ Pricing Strategy: Do Neighborhood Risks Matter? (preprint)

This paper explores the different pricing strategies of lenders who originate both government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) and non-GSE loans. We find that, conditional on loan and borrower characteristics and some observable local economic factors, mortgage rates on GSE loans vary significantly across regions. However, no sizable regional variation is observed in the loan amount or default risk. By contrast, the mortgage rates on non-GSE loans depend almost entirely on borrowers and loan characteristics. In addition, spatial variations in GSE mortgage rates are highly responsive to regional prepayment risk. The results are robust to various controls for neighborhood characteristics, including regional-level bank competition, household income, and racial composition. Overall, the findings offer a novel insight into how lenders adjust pricing strategies in response to a changing lending environment. It provides implications for the present and imminent dangers of housing bubbles predictions and the intensified refinancing wave following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lenders’ Pricing Strategy: Do Neighborhood Risks Matter? (preprint)

This paper explores the different pricing strategies of lenders who originate both government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) and non-GSE loans. We find that, conditional on loan and borrower characteristics and some observable local economic factors, mortgage rates on GSE loans vary significantly across regions. However, no sizable regional variation is observed in the loan amount or default risk. By contrast, the mortgage rates on non-GSE loans depend almost entirely on borrowers and loan characteristics. In addition, spatial variations in GSE mortgage rates are highly responsive to regional prepayment risk. The results are robust to various controls for neighborhood characteristics, including regional-level bank competition, household income, and racial composition. Overall, the findings offer a novel insight into how lenders adjust pricing strategies in response to a changing lending environment. It provides implications for the present and imminent dangers of housing bubbles predictions and the intensified refinancing wave following the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from heart failure with computed tomography at initial medical contact during epidemic period (preprint)

OBJECTIVES To compare chest CT findings in heart failure with those of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. BACKGROUND During epidemic period, chest computed tomography (CT) has been highly recommended for screening patients with suspected COVID-19. However, the comparison of CT imaging between heart failure and COVID-19 pneumonia has not been fully elucidated. METHODS Patients with heart failure (n=12), COVID-19 pneumonia (n=12) and one patient with both diseases were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical information and imaging of chest CT were collected and analyzed. RESULTS There was no difference of ground glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, crazy paving pattern, lobes affected and septal thickening between heart failure and COVID-19 pneumonia. However, less rounded morphology (8.3% vs. 67%, p=0.003), more peribronchovascular thickening (75% vs. 33%, p=0.041) and fissural thickening (33% vs. 0%, p=0.028), less peripheral distribution (33% vs. 92%, p=0.003) were found in heart failure group than that in COVID-19 group. Importantly, there were also more patients with upper pulmonary vein enlargement (75% vs. 8.3%, p=0.001), subpleural effusion and cardiac enlargement in heart failure group than that in COVID-19 group (50% vs. 0%, p=0.005, separately). Besides, more fibrous lesions were found in COVID-19 group although there was no statistical difference (25% vs. 0%, P=0.064) CONCLUSIONS Although there are some overlaps of CT imaging between heart failure and COVID-19, CT is still a useful tool in differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia.